Tangible teaching aids can provide a valuable supplement to traditional textbook-based learning of fundamental STEM concepts. 3D-printed templates detailing the construction of simple parallel and series circuits were incorporated into the lesson plans for 6th-grade introductory physics. Aiming to introduce the concepts of junction and loop rules…

Although student teaching plays a crucial role in teacher preparation programs, limited research has examined the specific features of this experience that positively impact preservice science teachers' (PSTs) questioning competency. This multi-case study contributes to the existing body of research by presenting findings from an initiative in a…

The forming of microplastics in the environment continues be a global problem with damaging risks to ecosystems and human health. Currently, most microplastic studies concentrate on water and air, while research focus on terrestrial samples such as soil still lags behind. This project reports the first results of our effort to develop and…

During 2020 a free, 3-month long, certificate-granting, online workshop was offered to increase undergraduates' knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and interest in observational seismology and scientific computing. Course registrants were comprised of 760 upper-level undergraduates from across science and math majors, representing 60 countries.…

This study explored science teachers' beliefs regarding the integration of simulations in inquiry-based science teaching (IBST) toward improving inquiry-based learning (IBL), both being grounded in constructivist principles in promoting critical and innovative thinking, scientific literacy and learner autonomy. Teachers' beliefs are crucial to…

Background/purpose: Practical work is a key component of science education that can contribute to comprehensive learning and scientific literacy. This study presents the results of an Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) approach using a DNA extraction practice with 4th-year secondary education Spanish students. The findings highlight significant…

Background/purpose: One of the skills that students had to master in science learning was science process skills. However, there has not been much research examining these skills in elementary schools, especially those related to practicum guides integrated with local wisdom. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a science…

This study aimed to explore how proficient science teachers facilitate sensemaking moments in the classroom. Specifically, the study sought to describe how science teachers facilitate sensemaking during lesson discussions, exploring the factors that influence their facilitation, and developing a model that will guide proficient science teachers in…

The past two decades have seen a rise in citizen science projects and tools available for formal and informal learning; however, research has indicated there is a dearth of professional development for educators regarding understanding, adapting, and applying these resources in their learning environments. To address this gap, we created the…

Practitioners of the mentor mindset in academic settings maintain high standards while providing strong support in and outside the classroom. They encourage the growth mindset by being motivating and transparent, reducing stress, and providing feedback that can help intellectual growth. The mentor mindset is the foundation of the professional…

Background/purpose: This study aimed to measure the level of scientific concepts acquisition among basic-stage students in light of their teachers' use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Materials/methods: A scientific concepts acquisition test was developed to collect data. The study sample consisted of 396 tenth-grade students,…

Generative AI tools, including the popular ChatGPT, have had a significant impact on discourses about future work and educational practices. Previous research in science education has highlighted the potential of generative AI in various education-related areas, including generating valuable discussion material, solving physics problems, and…

Reform-oriented instruction is advocated in secondary science, encouraging students to engage with the experimental and epistemic practices of science. It is challenging for teachers though, especially for out-of-field teachers. This study focuses on biology and chemistry teachers who are called to teach middle-school physics. These teachers face…

Reading motivation has been a focus of research to address the lack of reading proficiency in secondary classrooms, and an understudied area within this broad field of research is the effects of the learning environment on student reading motivation. The current study investigates the effect of 9th-12th grade students' perceptions of the learning…

Any teaching method may have both strengths and weaknesses concerning student learning outcomes. The current study investigated the moderating roles of student dispositions in the relationship between instructional activity and science literacy performance based on data from the Program of International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015. Using…