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What are ways to build students confidence in a science environment?

Let the kids have plenty of time for independent exploration whatever topic you're studying.  Put it out there for the kids to get their hands on it.  If it's rocks  you're studying put rocks on the table with magnifying glasses and balance scales and identification guides so the kids can get their hands on it in an unstructured situation.  Let them explore, let them get comfortable with the equipment.Teach them how to use a balance scale and a microscope early in the year and leave them out for the kids to explore on their own when they have free time. Change the items each time you change topics to keep it fresh. Consider having a challenge question each time to create some competition.

Great question! Make sure to give confidence to the students while they are doing their science lesson. Encourgement can go a long way for students. If you notice them struggling, ask them questions to help clarify their confusion. Make them exicted for science! Prepare lessons in advance that will make them want to fully participate in the lesson. Group work is also a great way to build confidence for students. The ability of group collaboration can help students scaffold knowledge by talking with their peers. 

I remember being in my science classes and my teacher would always walk around to make sure we were doing it correctly. The constant watch always stressed me out and did not allow me to fully engage in the science area. I wish that my teachers allowed me to be more independent because that would have allowed me to build confidence in myself.

• Use science notebooks- rather than lots of worksheets- they foster independent thinking and create ownership.
• Allow time for kids to explore- write their own questions- again creates ownership and excitement.
• It can be done- if you scaffold carefully- give the kids a purpose for the day- ( not just an I can statement) a real purpose- for example- Purpose: Measuring in centimeters  - here are the materials we are using today- what questions can you ask that you can answer using these materials? Ask your question, plan your steps and let me see it. Then you can do it!! Kids will ask- can I do more than one? Yes of course you can. 
• Can you always do it this way? 9/10 times you can- sometimes no- then you provide the materials. Purpose and question- if they can, let them figure out on paper how they are going to find the anwer and then let them go. 
• Giving up that control is hard- but it is so much better for the kids. 
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This is a good question, it makes me think back on my elementary and middle school days in science class and even my college science classes. The way my teachers helped build my confidence in the science classroom is that they gave the basic instructions for the assignment and then let us students find the answers ourselves. If we were wrong in the beginning with our predicitons, they did not correct us, they allowed us to further work on the assignment and come to the correct answer on our own. The teacher was their as a guide if we absolutely needed help but they did not over step and interject. This method allowed me to feel more confident when I did finally get the correct answer or come to the correct conclusion.