Teaching science means doing science and involves three elements: knowing content, knowing children, and teachers knowing themselves as teachers and learners. The authors describe principles and requirements that reflect National Science Education Standards for the active learning of science. They identify key ingredients for primary students and their development as young scientists. This resource is linked to research on cognitive and neural development and motivational theory from the work of Piaget and Vygotsky. Teachers inexperienced in science will discover new ways to think about science while they develop lessons that are rich, fun, and authentic for themselves and their students. All educators will find examples, questions, stories, and thought-provoking ideas to give students a strong start in science achievement, plus: (1) six key elements to build into science instruction: Observing, Representing, Organizing, Patterning and Questioning, Experimenting, and Sharing; (2) how-to's for incorporating inquiry, workshops, centers, and projects in primary and elementary classrooms; and (3) a 4-step system--Choice, Planning, Doing, Reviewing--that helps promote learning in science and across all subjects. This book helps educators teach science in a way that will expand their own confidence and let them make a lasting difference in children's lives. This book divides into five parts and 12 chapters. Part I, Welcome to "Launching Learners in Science," contains: (1) Origin of "Launching Learners in Science"; (2) The Nature of Science; and (3) Prior Beliefs, Efficacy, and Teaching Science. Part II, Construction Ahead! Influences on Learning, presents: (4) Maturation and Learning; (5) Social Interaction and Learning; and (6) Active Learning. Part III, Classroom Experiences, offers: (7) Key Science Experiences; (8) Thinking Routines; and (9) Planning Science Workshops. Part IV, Science Is a Community Affair, concludes with: (10) Assessment; (11) Access to Science in a Classroom; and (12) Connections to Curriculum. Part V, Resources, contains: (1) Resource A: Safety in the Classroom; and (2) Resource B: Children's Literature. The book also contains a Preface; Bibliography; and an Index.