This paper describes our bench-scale student experiment with a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The conditions under which the CSTR approaches ideal mixing behavior are investigated using CaCl[subscript 2(aq)] as a tracer. The data are derived from transient solution conductivity measurements of the vessel effluent. Adjustable parameters…

Observation is widely regarded as a fundamental way of studying nature. However, due to its complexity, proposing a comprehensive characterization is challenging. Observation is a method of studying nature that can be divided into several dimensions. Each of these dimensions can be presented as a pair of terms, which are elaborated in this paper…

Developing an adequate understanding of the nature of science includes developing an understanding of the uses and importance of models in science. General accounts of science aimed at university students, however, tend to neglect this aspect. A noticeable exception is the simple model of the key elements of a scientific result presented by Giere,…

In this article, we tackle the phenomenon of what seems to be a misunderstanding between science education theory and philosophy of science--one which does not seem to have received any attention in the literature. While there seems to be a consensus within the realm of science education on limiting or altogether denying the explanatory role of…

The role of scientific reasoning in promoting scientific literacy during the early years of schooling is well acknowledged. Using the analytical framework for scientific reasoning skills by A. Opitz et al. (2017, "Educational Research and Evaluation," 23(3-4), 78-101), this multi-age observational study investigated the extent of…

This review extends on previously reported findings in which students were asked to construct Reaction Coordinate Diagrams (RCDs) de novo. Instead of asking students to construct RCDs, this study explores students' understanding of kinetics and thermodynamics when provided with mechanisms for the Aldol and Claisen condensations. Data was collected…

The development and acquisition of science process skills (SPS) in science education are closely linked to the development of 21st-century skills and improvements in academic performance. To help facilitate the development of SPS in learners, teachers should acquire and exhibit SPS. This study assesses the SPS acquired by final-year students in a…

Due to regulatory and logistical challenges, traditional hands-on endocrine labs can be difficult to implement. Here, we provide a flexible, dry-lab/classroom data analysis activity that eliminates the need for direct blood sampling and instead focuses on teaching analytical skills and theoretical knowledge. This article presents a…

Early science inquiries and experiences increase young children's awareness and interest for science. The importance of promoting science process skills which bolster children's confidence to formulate and communicate personal ideas have been emphasised by international guidelines. As Loose Parts Play (LPP) is a form of free play involving…

Interdisciplinary integration is an inevitable trend in the development of science and technology, as well as the reform and development of higher education. With the rapid development of biomaterials in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, many undergraduate students in chemistry and materials science have been focusing on life sciences as…

The mechanistic approach to teaching introductory-level organic chemistry--Organic One and Two (Organic I and II) in the United States--continues to predominate since its introduction through Morrison and Boyd's legendary textbook. In this approach, reactions are taught alongside their electron-pushing mechanisms (EPMs), thereby providing students…

How science is traditionally taught and presented in westernized classrooms, Western Modern Science often does not offer creative and culturally sustaining pathways for students with diverse multicultural backgrounds to view science as a beneficial resource for their worldview, values, and funds of knowledge. This conceptual position paper…

This project was conceived and executed as a case study in early childhood, given its methodological characteristics and approach. It focused on exploring a pedagogical and research initiative in a real and defined context: a public school in the town of Usme, Bogotá, Colombia. Its main objective was the creation of a school garden to strengthen…

This study explores how the construction and refinement of visual representations support elementary students' learning of astronomical concepts, particularly in topics that are challenging to teach and understand. Drawing on qualitative data--including student interviews, classroom recordings, student-produced visual representations, and field…

Scientific inquiry skills are crucial for scientific literacy and cognitive development in the 21st century. Prior research has identified key inquiry skills-- data analytics (DA), control of variables (COV), and scientific reasoning (SR)--but has not validated these skills through comprehensive assessments. The aim of this study was to validate…