Embracing Uncertainty in Science: The ABCs of Data and the Confidence Updater

Having to deal with uncertainty is familiar to scientists working in fields that range from the life sciences to data science, but it can be difficult to support students to embrace and make sense of uncertainty in the middle school classroom. In this article, we argue that teaching about uncertainty in science education is not only beneficial but necessary for helping students develop a deeper understanding of scientific reasoning and data analysis. We introduce the ABCs of Data—Account for what you know, Be open to evidence, and Consider your confidence—a framework designed to help students evaluate their knowledge and update their understanding based on evidence. To support this process, we present the Confidence Updater, a free online tool that guides students in quantifying their confidence in a hypothesis, interpreting to what extent evidence such as data supports their hypothesis, and adjusting their confidence accordingly. We also demonstrate how these strategies integrate into OpenSciEd materials. We conclude with a brief discussion of the value in making uncertainty something your students can comfortably and confidently navigate.