The I-Sci Explorers program is more than just educational outreach — it’s a model of how research in education psychology can make STEAM topics relevant and truly accessible. Paige Duncan, Community Engagement Specialist with CSBS and director of the I-Sci Explorers program, collaborates with Carolyn MacDonald, graduate student researcher in psychology, to brings the insights of innovative educational psychology into the classroom, helping shape how participants interact with science.  

Using Research-Based Principles to Shape Science Education 

Paige and Carolyn have worked closely to incorporate evidence-based social and behavioral principles into the I-Sci Explorers program since its very beginning. Their primary goal is to make science both accessible and meaningful to children. By leveraging research, they’re able to develop strategies that nurture a child’s autonomy, foster feelings of belonging, and promote the kind of engagement that turns curiosity into a love of science. 

One of their main strategies involves using mindful language to encourage effort and perseverance. Rather than focusing on “natural ability,” they focus on praising effort, persistence, and creativity — key tenets of the growth mindset approach. To Carolyn, “it’s about getting children to see science as something they can be a part of, not something that’s intimidating or inaccessible.” 

Bringing These Principles to Life in the Classroom 

The I-Sci Explorers team isn’t just focused on theory; they’re committed to implementing these principles in real-world settings. Paige and Carolyn aim to translate their insights into action-oriented lesson plans that are relevant to children’s everyday lives. They incorporate role models and scenarios that allow kids to see the utility of science in real-world situations. Using action-oriented language is particularly important, because “when kids see how science connects to their daily lives, they’re more likely to engage with it on a deeper level,” Paige noted.  

The inquiry-based learning approach gives children autonomy in their educational experience. The “choose your own adventure” format lets students decide on their own activities, making room for exploration and even (and sometimes, especially!) mistakes, which is key to fostering scientific thinking. “We want them to feel like scientists, where making mistakes is part of the learning process,” Paige explained. 

Encouraging Growth Mindset in Science 

One of the core elements of the I-Sci Explorers program is promoting a growth mindset in children. The team has worked hard to ensure that the language used in classrooms supports this principle. Instead of labeling children as “smart” or “bad at science,” the focus is on effort and persistence. Carolyn and Paige agree that this kind of language shift is essential for promoting long-term engagement with science, particularly for students who may initially feel out of place in STEAM fields. 

By focusing on real-life scenarios and encouraging children to embrace challenges, the program aims to make science both exciting and approachable. “We’re showing them that science isn’t just for the people who are ‘good at it’—it’s for everyone who is curious and willing to try,” Carolyn remarked. 

Moving Forward: Evaluating and Expanding the Program 

Moving forward, the I-Sci team is looking to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in various classroom and after-school settings. By applying multiple principles in real-time (growth mindset combined with action-oriented lessons, for example), they hope to refine their approach to continue promoting kids’ engagement and interest in science. To Paige, the program’s potential is particularly exciting.  “I’m looking forward to seeing how the program will shape the kids’ experiences with science. It’s about creating an environment where they can discover their own capabilities.” 

The success of the I-Sci Explorers program is a great example of the power of combining research with hands-on science education. By focusing on autonomy, inquiry-based learning, and a growth mindset, Carolyn and Paige are helping to reshape how young students view science—and, more importantly, how they see themselves as future scientists.