{"id":4677,"date":"2025-07-24T02:53:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T02:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?p=4677"},"modified":"2026-07-22T15:48:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:48:45","slug":"7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4677\" class=\"elementor elementor-4677\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef3dc91 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef3dc91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-081d7dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"081d7dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7090152 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7090152\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ee0c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44ee0c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/middle-school\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">middle school<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> science teacher, you know that memorizing facts isn\u2019t enough. Teaching scientific thinking means helping students ask better questions, use evidence, and develop reasoning skills &#8211; in short, it\u2019s about getting them thinking like a scientist. But how do you actually teach students to think like scientists?<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One great tool to start with is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/18979\/scientific-ways-of-thinking\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> JoVE\u2019s \u2018Scientific Ways of Thinking\u2019 video.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It helps students visualize how scientists think, experiment, and question the world \u2014 making abstract concepts real.<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to show your students how scientists think?<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/18979\/scientific-ways-of-thinking\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Try this JoVE video in your next lesson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are seven evidence-based ways to build scientific thinking skills in your classroom-all supported by simple, powerful classroom strategies.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e308475 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e308475\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d91503 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d91503\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Spark Curiosity with Questions\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8aa59f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8aa59f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e1dcc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e1dcc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Why it works:<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curiosity drives discovery. Invite students to ask \u2018why\u2019 and \u2018how\u2019 every day. Start each class with a real-world mystery or question to investigate.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Examples:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do your ears pop on a plane?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do animals know where to migrate?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let students explore the answers using reasoning, not just memorization.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a657b98 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a657b98\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0b5642 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e0b5642\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Focus on Scientific Processes, Not Just Results<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a691d6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a691d6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bfad8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3bfad8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>How to do it:<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Model the scientific method as an open-ended journey, not a worksheet. Allow students to make hypotheses, test, and revise \u2014 even when results go off track.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s videos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> help students visualize this process step-by-step, building confidence through experimentation.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aba150d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aba150d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a03b32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4a03b32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Use Inquiry-Based Learning Activities\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b2cf0b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3b2cf0b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fe7b31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9fe7b31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>What to try:<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inquiry-based learning means students investigate answers instead of being told. Give them open-ended questions and encourage group exploration.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Example prompt:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What conditions help mold grow the fastest?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How could you design an experiment to test it?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This empowers students to become investigators, not passive learners.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-320f98c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"320f98c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c53539f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c53539f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Get Hands-On with Experiments\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cb18b5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0cb18b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e8f445 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e8f445\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Why it matters:<\/b><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/middle-school\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Middle schoolers <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">learn best by doing. Design <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/lab-activities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">labs <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and demonstrations where they can manipulate materials, make predictions, and observe outcomes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t forget <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/science-experiments\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s science experiments video resources<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 they model hands-on science in action.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc639eb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dc639eb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c6baf1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9c6baf1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Teach Evidence-Based Reasoning\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22e2aa1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"22e2aa1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3f33ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e3f33ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Build the habit:<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever a student makes a claim, ask: What\u2019s your evidence?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This simple habit helps develop scientific reasoning and pushes students to support ideas with data.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdfd525 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cdfd525\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c2d002 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c2d002\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Make Mistakes Part of the Learning\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5132d9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b5132d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67bd1e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67bd1e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Change the mindset:<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remind students that scientific discovery often comes from failure. Celebrate questions, second tries, and unexpected outcomes. This makes your classroom a safe space for curiosity and creativity.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fa5f4e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0fa5f4e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b85f0ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b85f0ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7. Connect Science to the Real World\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d82e05 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3d82e05\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4c8e66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a4c8e66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Make it relevant:<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tie concepts to real-life phenomena. For example:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Link <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/engaging-newtons-laws-experiments-for-high-school-physics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Newton\u2019s laws<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to skateboarding.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss how <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/analyzing-microbial-growth-and-antibiotic-effects\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">microbes are used in food science<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When students see science all around them, they begin thinking like a scientist in everyday life.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe1e837 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fe1e837\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-146d640 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"146d640\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Printable Classroom Activity: Mystery Box Challenge\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec23e48 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ec23e48\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bd8369 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bd8369\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This activity is a fun and effective way to build reasoning skills.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Instructions:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seal a small object inside a box.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students shake, weigh, and observe the box without opening it.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They write hypotheses and share reasoning.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, reveal the object and compare it to predictions.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This supports inquiry-based learning and strengthens evidence-based thinking.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9170d7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9170d7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ: Teaching Scientific Thinking\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2aa8bf0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2aa8bf0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-691c255 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-accordion\" data-id=\"691c255\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:400}\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" >\n        <div class=\"elementskit-accordion accoedion-primary\" id=\"accordion-6a7a472d5e62c\">\n\n            \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card active\">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-0-691c255\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-a6e33056a7a472d5e62c\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-a6e33056a7a472d5e62c\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-a6e33056a7a472d5e62c\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\"> How do you teach scientific thinking in middle school?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-a6e33056a7a472d5e62c\" class=\" show collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-0-691c255\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a7a472d5e62c\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use inquiry-driven strategies like<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/lab-activities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> hands-on labs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, open-ended questions, and reasoning prompts. Let students explore rather than memorize.<\/span><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-1-691c255\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-ed795eb6a7a472d5e62c\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-ed795eb6a7a472d5e62c\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-ed795eb6a7a472d5e62c\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">What are activities to promote scientific thinking?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-ed795eb6a7a472d5e62c\" class=\" collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-1-691c255\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a7a472d5e62c\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Try challenges like the mystery box activity, design-your-own-experiment labs, and science current event discussions.<\/span><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-2-691c255\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-20073e56a7a472d5e62c\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-20073e56a7a472d5e62c\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-20073e56a7a472d5e62c\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Why is evidence-based reasoning important in science?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-20073e56a7a472d5e62c\" class=\" collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-2-691c255\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a7a472d5e62c\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It teaches students to support their ideas, builds logic skills, and mirrors how real scientists work.<\/span><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-3-691c255\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-c3bd8ce6a7a472d5e62c\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-c3bd8ce6a7a472d5e62c\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-c3bd8ce6a7a472d5e62c\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Where can I find visual resources for scientific thinking?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-c3bd8ce6a7a472d5e62c\" class=\" collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-3-691c255\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a7a472d5e62c\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/18979\/scientific-ways-of-thinking\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">JoVE\u2019s Scientific Thinking video<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> shows how scientists think, experiment, and analyze \u2014 perfect for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/middle-school\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> middle school <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">classrooms.<\/span><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                                        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6af33e6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6af33e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4d5a8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a4d5a8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion: Turn Curiosity Into Scientific Confidence\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2debc4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f2debc4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1ccdc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b1ccdc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping students think like scientists doesn\u2019t require a full curriculum overhaul \u2014 just curiosity, inquiry, and great tools. With <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visual resources, your students can observe how science works and begin confidently thinking like a scientist.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to try JoVE\u2019s interactive science videos?<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE starts at just $2 per student*.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/share.hsforms.com\/1FyaUdqz3T3yuF-IuUZXDfwc2eur\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Book your free demo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/viewmail.jove.com\/hubfs\/K12%20Schools\/K12%20Funding%20Resources%20Flyer_2025.pdf?utm_campaign=14083630-K12_Q2_2025_Newsletter_June%20Edition&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_YoAQE_jZOxP2S56v0c7u1QwdSYCTxqWB2w5XzInlBixw8VciDctvVLnjRYMcQLUwoIc0yUBDE6qXfTZ_fdpwkm9LHPA&amp;_hsmi=2&amp;utm_content=2&amp;utm_source=hs_email\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">explore funding options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for your district.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Pricing based on 1,500 students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists As a middle school science teacher, you know that memorizing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4679,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ngss-standards"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Think Like Scientists: Middle School Guide | JoVE K12<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Help students think like scientists with JoVE K12 activities that build observation, evidence-based reasoning, and stronger inquiry routines for class use.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Think Like Scientists: Middle School Guide | JoVE K12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Help students think like scientists with JoVE K12 activities that build observation, evidence-based reasoning, and stronger inquiry routines for class use.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"JoVE for K12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-24T02:53:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-22T15:48:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nikita\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nikita\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nikita\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\"},\"headline\":\"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-24T02:53:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-22T15:48:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":680,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"NGSS Standards\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\",\"name\":\"Think Like Scientists: Middle School Guide | JoVE K12\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-24T02:53:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-22T15:48:45+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\"},\"description\":\"Help students think like scientists with JoVE K12 activities that build observation, evidence-based reasoning, and stronger inquiry routines for class use.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"JoVE for K12\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\",\"name\":\"Nikita\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Nikita\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Think Like Scientists: Middle School Guide | JoVE K12","description":"Help students think like scientists with JoVE K12 activities that build observation, evidence-based reasoning, and stronger inquiry routines for class use.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Think Like Scientists: Middle School Guide | JoVE K12","og_description":"Help students think like scientists with JoVE K12 activities that build observation, evidence-based reasoning, and stronger inquiry routines for class use.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists","og_site_name":"JoVE for K12","article_published_time":"2025-07-24T02:53:06+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-07-22T15:48:45+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Nikita","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Nikita","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\/"},"author":{"name":"Nikita","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3"},"headline":"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists","datePublished":"2025-07-24T02:53:06+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-22T15:48:45+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\/"},"wordCount":680,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png","articleSection":["NGSS Standards"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists\/","url":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists","name":"Think Like Scientists: Middle School Guide | JoVE K12","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png","datePublished":"2025-07-24T02:53:06+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-22T15:48:45+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3"},"description":"Help students think like scientists with JoVE K12 activities that build observation, evidence-based reasoning, and stronger inquiry routines for class use.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/7-Ways-to-Get-Middle-Schoolers-to-Think-Like-Scientists-1.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/7-ways-to-help-students-think-like-scientists#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"7 Ways to Get Middle Schoolers to Think Like Scientists"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/","name":"JoVE for K12","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3","name":"Nikita","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Nikita"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4677"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4677\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}