Sensemaking in Science: Real science isn't about students confirming what they already know--it's about making sense of what puzzles and intrigues them.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Sensemaking in Science: Real science isn't about students confirming what they already know--it's about making sense of what puzzles and intrigues them.
Authors:	MCKENNA, THOMAS T. J.¹
Source:	Educational Leadership. Apr2026, Vol. 83 Issue 7, p49-53. 5p.
Subject Terms:	Science education, Student engagement, Facilitated learning, Instructional systems design, Standardized tests, Learning, Long-term memory, Neurobiology
Abstract:	The article focuses on the gradual decline of student inquisitiveness as they progress through school and the critical need for instructional systems that intentionally protect and nurture the desire to learn. Topics include the detrimental impact of prioritizing standardized compliance over open exploration, the neurobiological link between curiosity and memory retention, and the strategic use of guided frameworks to help learners navigate the productive struggle of uncertainty.
Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	The article focuses on the gradual decline of student inquisitiveness as they progress through school and the critical need for instructional systems that intentionally protect and nurture the desire to learn. Topics include the detrimental impact of prioritizing standardized compliance over open exploration, the neurobiological link between curiosity and memory retention, and the strategic use of guided frameworks to help learners navigate the productive struggle of uncertainty.
ISSN:	00131784