Drawing from the Deweyan theory of experience (1934, 1938), the goal
of teaching and learning for transformative, aesthetic experience is contrasted against
teaching and learning from a cognitive, rational framework. A quasi-experimental
design was used to investigate teaching and learning of fifth grade science from each
perspective across an entire school year including three major units of instruction.
Detailed comparisons of teaching are given and pre and post measures of interest in
learning science, science identity affiliation, and efficacy beliefs are investigated.
Tests of conceptual understanding before, after, and one month after instruction
reveal teaching for transformative, aesthetic experience fosters more, and more
enduring, learning of science concepts. Investigations of transfer also suggest students
learning for transformative, aesthetic experiences learn to see the world differently
and find more interest and excitement in the world outside of school.