Young students' understanding of the relationship between inheritance and variation of traits using structural equation modeling

Genetics has become increasingly important in everyday life, a fact that is reflected in state and national science education standards. This study examines the relationship between 474 fifth graders' understandings of the core ideas of inheritance of traits and variation of traits. A confirmat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science education (Salem, Mass.) Mass.), 2018-11, Vol.102 (6), p.1201-1238
Main Authors: Ibourk, Amal, Williams, Michelle, Opperman, Amanda, Cisterna, Dante, Nazar, Christina Restrepo, Xie, Yiyu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barriers
Comprehension
Concept Formation
Elementary School Students
Genetics
Grade 5
Heredity
inheritance of traits
knowledge integration
Science Education
Scientific Concepts
Structural equation modeling
Students
variation of traits
young students
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Summary:Genetics has become increasingly important in everyday life, a fact that is reflected in state and national science education standards. This study examines the relationship between 474 fifth graders' understandings of the core ideas of inheritance of traits and variation of traits. A confirmatory factor analysis, supplemented with qualitative analyses of students’ responses, revealed a relationship between these concepts and contributed evidence about the nature of students' challenges in learning these ideas. While most students demonstrated some normative ideas, many struggled to explain variation of traits as resulting from equal inheritance of genetic information from two parents. Instead, they focused on generational patterns of visible traits or on the influence of nongenetic factors. Deepening understanding of young students' heredity‐related thinking can improve preparation of older students for learning advanced genetics‐related ideas.
ISSN:0036-8326
1098-237X
DOI:10.1002/sce.21470