The aim of this research is to take a fresh look at the physical science concepts that Year 3 students struggle with. In this work, the responses of over 8,000 middle-primary-aged students to a range of physics, space science and chemistry questions were evaluated. The questions covered a number of topics ranging from selecting and using simple…

In science education, the abstraction and complexity of scientific concepts are usually stumbling blocks that prevent students from learning science. Recently, augmented reality (AR) has offered transformative potential to support scientific concept learning by visualizing scientific phenomena and enhancing students' experiences. However, the lack…

Although there has been extensive research on students' understanding of the particulate nature of matter (PNM), there is still a lack of research on contexts that can be used to teach this challenging topic. In a previous design-based research study, the authors developed a teaching-learning sequence (TLS) on the PNM in the context of crystal…

This research employs the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method to investigate the configurations of multiple factors influencing scientific concept learning, including augmented reality (AR) technology, the concept map (CM) strategy and individual differences (eg, prior knowledge, experience and attitudes). A quasi-experiment…

By using information technology, science learning can be widely disseminated, including, for example, to rural schools. However, the implementation of inquiry-based science learning with action-to-ground science concepts for rural learners needs to be explored. To address this purpose, the present study adopted "live stream" technology…

A wide array of conceptual change strategies attempted to address students' persistent alternative conceptions, yet there remained ubiquitous struggles of teachers teaching abstract and highly contentious science concepts. This study investigated the effectiveness of the novel Conceptual Change Framework of Instruction (CCFI) in teaching eclipses…

Learning in a virtual environment has been found to foster students' affective responses, indicating the importance of exploring the factors which affect students' learning when engaged in a virtual game. This study aimed to explore the relationships among students' epistemic curiosity, situational interest, and learning engagement in an…

The field of science education has put effort into providing opportunities for students to position themselves as epistemic agents pursuing the goal of making sense of natural phenomena. However, students often struggle in adapting scientific practices to achieve the sense-making goal. In this position paper, we conceptualise students'…

Background/purpose: Understanding gifted students' perceptions by means of metaphors, carefully examining and interpreting them may help to guide the organization of training programs and the differentiation of educational content for gifted students. This study aims to reveal the perceptions of gifted students regarding science and mathematics…

Background: Digital game-based learning (DGBL) has shown promise in enhancing learning and motivation, with appropriate scaffolding playing a crucial role in facilitating student inquiries and knowledge acquisition through science games. While scaffolding is generally effective in promoting learning in DGBL, there is variability among different…

Background: The question of the efficiency of withholding answers and the physical manipulation of material in science education has become the target of a large number of researchers (proponents of the Cognitive Load Theory) in recent years. However, no research has been found examining the contribution of these elements of teaching to the…

Environmental content is becoming increasingly important in schools, but teachers may have difficulty grasping accurate knowledge. This study investigated how student teachers construct a conceptual understanding of biodiversity loss in an online environment. Sixty-five first-semester primary student teachers at a Finnish university were given the…

The study of complexity is an important part of science education. This paper presents a pedagogical option that includes potentially feasible field solutions for complex science teachers. This work aims to examine how fieldwork has appeared in the international literature over the past five years and to explore the algorithms that can be used to…

The study determines the conceptual understanding levels of primary school students on the concept of light according to the Rasch Model with a Four-tier Light Conceptual Understanding Test (LCUT). The participants were 355 (164 girls and 191 boys) primary school students studying at a public school in Izmir city center. In the study, the Rasch…

Persistence is an important part of student success--both in and out of school. To enhance persistence, we first need to assess it accurately. Digital games can be used as vehicles for measuring and enhancing persistence. The purpose of this study is to test the effects of (a) game-level characteristics (i.e., game mechanics and conceptual…