Informal science in the classroom: how informal and formal educational institutions support science instruction

<p>Science education has seen a major overhaul with the implementation of ideas from the NRC’s (2012) report, A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. At the same time, we have seen a rise in the number of formal educational facilities partnering with informal facilities to bring these practices to students. This study explored the effect these blended approaches had on both student attitudes and their achievement in science content areas. To do this, surveys were designed to assess these areas in upper elementary students participating in a one-year blended science program. First, the literature was examined to develop themes around which the survey questions could be built. A sample, N=78, was pooled from anonymous student surveys returned after the program’s completion. From this data, descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were generated using SPSS software. While the research results did not support or disprove a relationship between attitude and achievement, it did show a positive correlation between a student’s age and confidence in their ability to do science. A positive correlation between enjoying science and viewing science as a tool that makes sense of the world was also found. Professional development efforts should note that previous studies have shown growth in both attitude and achievement from blended programs and continue to research this area.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Year

2018

Author dc:creator

• Crawford, Kellie Michelle

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Methods
• Science and Mathematics Education

Statement dc:rights

• Access is available to all users

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.ewu.edu/theses/534

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.ewu.edu:theses-1533