There are relatively few studies examining cooperative learning during laboratory activities in a science museum. This study aims to explore such activities to better understand the nature of cooperative learning, if any, in that setting. The participants in this study were 60 fourth-grade students who visited a science museum lab as part of a…

The advanced visualisation and interactive capabilities make immersive virtual reality (IVR) attractive for educators to investigate its educational benefits. This research reviewed 64 studies published in 2016-2020 to understand how science educators designed, implemented, and evaluated IVR-based learning. The immersive design features (sensory,…

This study aimed to reveal the experiences of science education graduate students about education in out-of-school learning environments before and after they took a course on this topic. The study group consisted of four students who were attending the science education graduate program at a state university in Turkey and who were taking the…

Inhabitants of Planet Earth are experiencing environmental tensions brought about by the different problems plaguing the environment prompting the researcher to conduct a study on navigating environmental education practices in promoting environmental awareness and education. To answer this problem, the researcher employed a…

This study aimed to examine the development of pre-service science teachers' views of the targeted nature of science (NOS) aspects, which are considered more difficult to develop than other aspects. This study was grounded by conceptual change and experiential learning theory. A multiple comparative case study approach was used to explore…

Background: Children living in urban areas often have limited opportunities to experience informal science environments. As a result, some do not have a deep understanding of the environment, natural resources, ecosystems, and the ways human activities affect nature. Purpose: This article examines how experiential science education supported urban…

The benefits attributed to field trips by science educators are: social development; observation and perception skills; giving meaning to learning; providing first-hand experience and stimulating interest and motivation. Arguably, the "real value" of field work is attributed by students. In this study, 100 first-year students took part…

Background: Photovoice is one method that enables an educator to view an experience from a student's perspective. This study examined how teachers might use photovoice during an informal learning experience to understand the students' experiences and experiential gain. Design and methods: Participants in this study consisted of six students, three…

Residential environmental education centers are important providers of science curriculum, offering students learning experiences outside the traditional classroom. One major criticism of these centers and other nonformal science centers is that they often do not include student outcomes in the evaluation of their programs. The purpose of this…

Field trips can provide excellent real-world learning situations for students in non-science major chemistry courses. The field trips described in this article are accessible, most trips can be completed within a scheduled three-hour laboratory time period, and they can be conducted at minimal cost. These field trips significantly enhanced student…

The purpose of this study was to investigate how situational interest of high school students was triggered during a field trip to an aquarium. Although the role of museums in stimulating interest among students has been acknowledged for some time, empirical evidence about how the specific variable of a museum setting might trigger situational…

We connected youth of the Mushkegowuk Territory (specifically Fort Albany First Nation) with environmental science and technology mentors in an outreach program contextualized to subarctic Ontario that addressed some of the environmental concerns identified by members of Fort Albany First Nation. Most activities were community-based centering on…

Reports on the findings of a study designed to investigate factors that influence the educational effectiveness of field trips for students. Recommends that a field trip should occur early in the concrete part of the curriculum and should be preceded by a relatively short preparatory unit that focuses on increasing familiarity with the learning…

Advocates use of the nature journal as a flexible, hands-on teaching tool. Suggests exercises for developing observation and drawing skills and describes the basic equipment and field guides. Discusses various kinds of nature journals and ideas for using them in the classroom. Includes examples of student drawings. (DLH)

Reports on 128 subjects interviewed about their recollections of school field trips during their early years of school. Ninety-six percent could recall school field trips, with the majority recalling when they went, with whom they went, where they went, and three or more specific aspects of what they did. The study reinforces interrelationships…