SOARing toward Scientific Literacy: A Strategic Model for Empowering Science Learning

Abstract

Scientific literacy is a crucial competency in the 21st century, enabling individuals to apply scientific understanding to real-world contexts and make informed decisions. However, discussions on advancing scientific literacy through the SOAR model remain limited compared to other strategic planning frameworks. Therefore, this concept paper aims to describe a strengths-based strategic framework for promoting scientific literacy in Malaysia using the SOAR model. SOAR focuses on four key dimensions: Strengths (S), Opportunities (O), Aspirations (A), and Results (R), emphasising collective visioning and positive transformation rather than deficit analysis. The findings highlight that the SOAR framework offers a systematic approach for leveraging Malaysia’s existing strengths in science education—such as global benchmarking (PISA, TIMSS), inquiry-based pedagogy, and digital innovation—while capitalising on opportunities in curriculum reform, regional collaboration, and technological integration. The aspiration is to nurture ethically grounded, critically thinking, and scientifically literate citizens aligned with Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama 2030) and global sustainability goals. The expected results include improved student performance in scientific reasoning, enhanced teacher professionalism, and stronger public trust in science. This study has important implications for policy alignment, teacher education, and curriculum transformation in fostering critical and functional scientific literacy. Future studies could evaluate other strategic models such as SWOT, TOWS and NOISE which offer different analytical perspective and strengthen the conceptual justification of this paper.