Learning to Think Like a Scientist Improves Problem Solving in Teens

Problem-solving skills are one of the most important skill sets a young person can have in today’s world. As they grow up and enter into the adult world, it can help them navigate tricky situations and think outside of the box. Using scientific thinking to help cultivate these skills incorporates lessons they have already learned in school to help them better understand these life experiences. 

At Eva Carlston, our innovative approach uses the science classroom as another way to teach critical problem solving skills to compliment our students’ therapeutic work.

Learning Problem Solving Skills with Scientific Thinking 

Scientific thinking has a specific way that goes about solving problems. You have a goal that you need to reach, something standing in the way, and steps you must go through to reach your goal. The same can be applied to real-life situations. You may have a deadline for a project at work, a teamwork assignment for school, and more. 

By applying what our students learned in school to develop key social skills, they can achieve their goals much quicker. They have learned that although a solution may not come immediately to them, it’s still possible and has yet to be figured out. It teaches resilience and patience above all else in confusing social situations. 

While in school, we teach our students that scientific thinking in everyday life is something they’ll come across often, and having these problem-solving skills gives them many benefits. At Eva Carlston Academy, it’s our mission to equip our students with the tools they need to be successful in every opportunity. Giving our students and wide variety of tools to use in the future helps them understand life and sets them up for success. 

Why Problem Solving Skills Are Important 

Although some people may have learned problem-solving skills on their own, that is often not the case for those struggling with addiction or mental health. Problem-solving skills and scientific thinking go hand in hand and showing our students this correlation often gives them the steps they need to understand bigger concepts. 

“Scientific thinking is critical in every problem any person encounters, yet it often needs to be taught rather than being intuitive. Scientific thinking is: identifying the problem, asking a question about the problem, and then trying out different solutions until the problem has been solved,” says Eva Carlston science teacher Angelyn Caldwell. 

Finding the solution to problems in everyday life is an important social skill we work on with our students. Asking the right questions, trying after failing, and much more are incorporated into our lessons with scientific thinking.

“…One of the most distinct memories I have of my mother is her constant refusal to help me with my homework. Sitting at the kitchen table doing math; “mom, I need help”. She replies “ask me a question”. Frustration. “I don’t know what to do.”…” Angelyn reflects back on her experience as a student often to help Eva Carlston students through their struggles. “My students get frustrated just like I did when the solution isn’t found on the first try, but they are learning that they are capable of finding the solution. The more problems they solve, the more they look for problems to solve. And that is what our beautiful Earth needs.”

At Eva Carlston Academy, we strongly believe in the importance that a good, quality education will help guide young adults into making healthy life choices. By showing our students the connection between problem-solving and scientific thinking, they can handle situations with ease and be ready when things get in their way.