Impact of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change on development of primary students’ investigation skills and conceptual knowledge

Diana Boaventura; Cláudia Faria; Elsa Guilherme

doi:10.29333/ijese/8554

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Diana Boaventura ¹ ² ^* , Cláudia Faria ³, Elsa Guilherme ³

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¹ Escola Superior de Educação João de Deus, PORTUGAL² University of Lisbon, PORTUGAL³ Universidade de Lisboa, PORTUGAL^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Climate change is one of the major challenges facing society today and more effective education is needed on this topic. This study analysed the effects of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change effects in ocean ecosystems, done in a research laboratory and in the classroom, on primary students’ knowledge, investigation skills and satisfaction. Data were collected through the application of pretests and posttests, direct observation, questionnaires, interviews and document analysis. Results revealed an increase in students’ scientific knowledge and application to new situations. Regarding investigation skills, all students were able to make predictions, and to easily observe and register data. However, experimental planning and conclusions were more difficult for them. Students and teachers emphasised their satisfaction with the outdoor activity, teamwork and the subject. The present study revealed a positive effect of the participation in the inquiry-based activity, embedded on a socio-scientific issue, in students’ conceptual knowledge and in the development of investigation skills.

Keywords

climate change
inquiry-based science learning
outdoor activities
ocean literacy

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED, Volume 16, Issue 4, 2020, Article No: e2225

https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/8554

Publication date: 29 Sep 2020

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How to cite this article

APA

Boaventura, D., Faria, C., & Guilherme, E. (2020). Impact of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change on development of primary students’ investigation skills and conceptual knowledge. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 16(4), e2225. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/8554

Vancouver

Boaventura D, Faria C, Guilherme E. Impact of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change on development of primary students’ investigation skills and conceptual knowledge. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2020;16(4):e2225. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/8554

AMA

Boaventura D, Faria C, Guilherme E. Impact of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change on development of primary students’ investigation skills and conceptual knowledge. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2020;16(4), e2225. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/8554

Chicago

Boaventura, Diana, Cláudia Faria, and Elsa Guilherme. "Impact of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change on development of primary students’ investigation skills and conceptual knowledge". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education 2020 16 no. 4 (2020): e2225. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/8554

Harvard

Boaventura, D., Faria, C., and Guilherme, E. (2020). Impact of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change on development of primary students’ investigation skills and conceptual knowledge. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 16(4), e2225. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/8554

MLA

Boaventura, Diana et al. "Impact of an inquiry-based science activity about climate change on development of primary students’ investigation skills and conceptual knowledge". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, vol. 16, no. 4, 2020, e2225. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/8554