This study explored the impact of authentic out-of-school learning on students' beliefs about their science learning efficacy and career aspirations. The learning activity, designed following an authentic learning framework, was led by research scientists. We examined how students' emotions, induced in an authentic scientific activity, mediated…

This paper describes and compares primary school students' perceptions of science learning skills in a teacher-centered approach (TCA) and in inquiry-based science fieldwork (IBSF). This comparison was prompted by primary school students' perceptions of science learning skills, which has recently gained momentum, and the Namibian primary schools'…

In response to the global crisis of type 2 diabetes prevalence, this dissertation investigated the impact of a culturally sustaining, health-centric science curriculum contextualized in type 2 diabetes. Using a case study methodology, it explored how the curriculum shaped math and science preservice teachers' (PSTs) perceptions of science and how…

This study used gain scores and linear regression equations to examine the role of race, socioeconomic status, and school control (public or Catholic/private) on student science identity growth trajectories. The participants of this study were 18,837 students who were followed from the beginning of secondary education to three years after…

This dissertation investigated the science identity development of first-generation college students (FGCS) within learning assistant (LA) -supported science classes. The research aimed to uncover the complex and multifaceted processes through which FGCS come to see themselves as "science people" and how various elements of the…

Recent years have seen a rise in interest in how education can foster critical thinking and discourage epistemically unwarranted beliefs. Considering this, this paper seeks to explore whether master's physics students are more critical and skeptical in the philosophical tradition of 'Scientific skepticism', than 1st year students. This is done by…

The purpose of this study is to examine how students may hold coexisting and competing conceptual ideas and how students' uses of such ideas may evolve during the process of conceptual change by combining two complementary methods including model analysis and the conceptual framework model of knowledge integration. Conceptual change is fundamental…

A key part of the practice of chemistry is the analysis of chemical composition, including through gravimetric analysis and spectrophotometry. However, the complexity of doing multiple calculations to obtain analytical evidence, such as that required to determine an empirical formula, presents a challenge if such analytical methods are to be…

The current study is premised on the expectation that the time university students spend on campus may represent the most substantial exposure they will have to science and scientists in their lifetime. Building on the cultivation theory, we examine whether exposure to science during undergraduate education -- through a major in a natural science…

Despite the importance of evolution to understand living phenomena, evolution teaching confronts several tensions, especially with respect to teachers' and students' religious beliefs. These aspects have been widely investigated in the USA and Europe. However, little empirical research has been done on this issue in Latin America, despite their…

Young children's scientific attitude is basic norms of human kind to cultivated actual learning, which has been an expected to be a curious, motivated, generous and responsible person. The study aimed to investigate scientific attitude of young children through literature-based and project-based learning organization (LPBL). The participants…

Biographies of scientists are often used in the teaching environment, both in textbooks and in course contents - sections from the lives of scientists are often included to encourage students to pursue and enjoy science. This research investigated the effect of social content biographical texts of scientists on students' attitudes towards science…

An important challenge for the geoscience community is developing engaging, accessible, and effective experiences within introductory courses, which are often gateways to geoscience majors. This study evaluates low-barrier-to-entry and flexible assignments focused on a pedagogical innovation: faculty replaced one of their usual course components…

The aim of the present study was to explore how physicists start their research studies, how they identify their research questions and what factors influence their involvement in studying a specific research problem. The grounded theory methodology was adopted in the study by considering the qualitative nature of the research questions. The study…

Experimental activity in the physics teaching can be considered as a space in which teachers create contexts for students to approach the way scientific knowledge is constructed. In this sense, the strategies for the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the context of science education, has a wide potential to guide…