Because the next generation of scientists and engineers are sitting in their classrooms, teachers make sure to involve students in activities that require critical thinking and effective communication. They include strategies, such as CER, that teach students how to gather, judge, and explain evidence to build those skills as current students and future professionals in STEM and all career fields.
The role of CER in engineering and design
What is CER (claim, evidence, reasoning)? An argument in science or engineering includes a claim supported by evidence and reasoning. CER is a three-step process that helps students develop critical thinking skills.
A claim is a one-sentence statement that can be supported by evidence. It answers a scientific question or makes an assertion about a proposed solution.
Evidence for an argument in science and engineering can include observations and data from investigations. Beliefs and opinions are not considered evidence.
Reasoning uses scientific principles to explain how or why the evidence supports the claim in an argument.
Why CER goes beyond science instruction
CER is used in science education because it helps students develop critical thinking and analytical skills. It serves as a guide for students to learn how to answer questions by making claims, providing evidence, and reasoning the support for the claims and evidence.
The claim-evidence-reasoning model isn’t limited to science. It’s a writing strategy that helps students focus their thinking by offering a specific structure to craft compelling arguments. Through discussions, students also develop collaboration skills as they formulate scientific explanations.
Applying the claim-evidence-reasoning model in engineering
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) provide a framework for science and engineering education that focuses on learning by doing. The overarching idea is to offer students opportunities to act as scientists and engineers in the classroom. Activities for science and engineering practices revolve around analyzing and interpreting data in an authentic context. Students explore real-world situations, analyzing and interpreting data just like scientists and engineers do in their work.
Both scientists and engineers use evidence and reasoning to support their claims. Scientists make claims about how the world works based on data and observations from investigations. Engineers make claims about solutions to problems based on data and observations from tests of their designs.
How engineers use CER in the design process
CER helps to create evidence-based explanations while working through the design process. Engineers use CER to analyze, reason, and communicate. They start by claiming to answer a question and then gathering data for evidence. The reasoning comes in when engineers explain how the evidence supports the claim.
Engineers use various sources of evidence to support claims in the design process. To justify designs, engineers use their design and engineering criteria and evidence from observations and investigations about the solution's effectiveness. Engineers use argumentation to judge possible designs and evaluate their potential success.
CER in Gizmos: How simulations support design thinking
CER is baked into Gizmos. The 550+ simulations support design thinking by allowing students to explore different designs and scenarios. They can test their ideas to see if their designs are validated or identify flaws in the process. Because Gizmos are interactive, students can visualize whether or not their evidence supports their claims and make adjustments throughout the process.
Enhancing problem-solving with CER in virtual labs
Gizmos STEM Cases are interactive case studies that place students in the role of a STEM professional whose task is to solve a real-world problem, which is a perfect fit with CER. For example, in the “River Detective: The Case of the Missing Shad” STEM Case, students are asked to construct an argument with evidence and reasoning to support their claim about the best engineering solution design to increase the American Shad population in the James River. This kind of work allows students to mimic real-world problems and explain their solutions based on evidence.
River Detective: The Case of the Missing Shad
CER’s impact on engineering success
Engineers use CER to create explanations based on evidence in the engineering design process. Success comes from the CER process, allowing students to identify misconceptions and work through a structure to find evidence-based solutions. Because they’re responsible for finding evidence to support their claims and explaining that evidence, a deeper understanding can lead to improved student achievement.
If you want to bring authentic CER activities to your students, start a free trial today and watch what Gizmos can do for the future engineers in your classes.