This study investigated students' conceptions of science learning before and after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak via drawing analysis. A total of 521 Taiwanese students in 7th, 9th, and 11th grades were asked to illustrate how they conceptualized science learning in an actual and ideal context. A coding checklist was developed to analyze the…

Dual-process theories of reasoning suggest that humans reason using two processes often referred to as process 1 (heuristic) and process 2 (analytic). When presented with a situation requiring any sort of reasoning or decision making, process 1 automatically engages and generates an initial mental model to address the situation. Process 2 may or…

Conceptual approaches to contemporary physics topics pose many learning challenges. One factor influencing knowledge integration is a student's epistemic framing. Epistemic frames provide a context within which a particular situation is perceived, interpreted, and judged. The objective of this study is to explore secondary students' framings…

Background/purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a computerized instructional module based on artificial intelligence in acquiring scientific concepts and developing critical thinking among seventh-grade female students. Materials/methods: To achieve the study's objectives, an AI-based computerized instructional module was…

Understanding genetic variation is important in science education and in today's world, for example, to respond to the changing environment and face species extinction. However, students often need help to grasp its importance and complexities due to fragmented knowledge and a need for more awareness of how different concepts are interconnected.…

Addressing diverse learning needs in energy education is vital for fostering environmental awareness and sustainability. This study aims to identify students' learning preferences, the challenges teachers encounter when teaching energy-related topics, and the most effective pedagogical strategies to address these challenges. Using a mixed-methods…

Enhancing students' conceptual understanding is one of the primary goals of science education. Existing literature suggests that the degree of knowledge integration among students can reflect their level of conceptual understanding. This study focuses on the concept of friction force, constructing a cognitive structure model of friction force to…

Balancing disciplinary knowledge and practical reasoning in problem solving is needed for meaningful learning. In STEM problem solving, science subject matter with associated practices often appears distant to learners due to its abstract nature. Consequently, learners experience difficulties making meaningful connections between science and their…

A substantial number of empirical studies in the field of Early Childhood Science Education have explored science concept formation in early childhood educational settings. Most of these studies focus on the process of science concept formation during a teaching intervention or a school year period. However, less is known about how children form…

The "Integrated Development of Key Competences" has been identified as the core idea in education to face competition in the 21st century. Similarly, reform efforts in science education emphasize the importance of integrating scientific practices and disciplinary core ideas. The learning progression (LP) is viewed as a robust tool to…

As quantum information science and technology (QIST) is becoming more prevalent and occurring not only in research labs but also in industry, many educators are considering how best to incorporate learning about quantum mechanics into various levels of education. Although much of the focus has been on quantum concepts in nonlab courses, current…

Students hold a variety of initial (mis)conceptions that are inconsistent with scientific knowledge and hinder their physics learning. The initial (mis)conceptions could coexist with the scientific ones, even after a conceptual change. Inhibitory control may help overcome initial (mis)conceptions. This study investigated if and how inhibitory…

Drawing on curriculum examples from Australia and Canada, we outline three key elements to support the development school-based HPV vaccination literacy for young people: (1) knowledge and understanding about HPV and HPV vaccination; (2) the scientific principles underpinning vaccination; and (3) the socio-political factors influencing HPV…

It could be argued that the main goal of the teaching process is to create accurate projections of scientific models in the minds of individuals. In this context, it could be argued that it is important to determine the change and development of the mental models that individuals create for events/phenomena and related metaphors in this process.…

The demand for improving student interest in science has increased efforts toward teaching Einstein's theory of general relativity in schools. Research has already shown that teaching Einsteinian gravity at the secondary level is feasible, however, appropriate resources must be readily available for science teachers to make Einsteinian gravity…