Instruction for metacognition in science classrooms: Harsh realities and a way forward?

The development and enhancement of science students' metacognition should be an important goal of science education. The extent to which it is, however, is questionable. The explosion of science information (and misinformation) around issues such as climate change, COVID-19, the Anthropocene, and sustainability makes developing students' potentials to be aware of how to manage and monitor the quality of their science learning a priority for consideration by science educators. This is because individuals' science learning will need to continue long after they complete formal schooling. However, attempts to prioritize instruction for metacognition in science education have faltered, stagnated, and lack momentum. This chapter identifies key reasons for this situation and proposes considerations to (re)elevate instruction for metacognition into science classrooms. The considerations involve reorienting research perspectives in the field of metacognition research in science education, considering increasing attention to metacognition in pre- and in-service teacher education, being realistic about our expectations for instruction for metacognition in science learning contexts, and considering the use of Open Educational Resources (OERs) such as podcasts and websites that can be accessed across countries by pre-service and practicing teachers and teacher educators to inform them about metacognition and about instruction for metacognition.