The effect of hands-on science demonstrations on elementary students’ curiosity

In this study, the effect of science demonstrations on elementary students’ curiosity was investigated. A total of 85 hands-on science demonstrations were carried out in a public elementary school during a half-day period. Predict-observe-explain strategy was used during the demonstrations in order...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Gurel, Derya Kaltakci
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Children
Science
Statistical analysis
Statistical methods
Students
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In this study, the effect of science demonstrations on elementary students’ curiosity was investigated. A total of 85 hands-on science demonstrations were carried out in a public elementary school during a half-day period. Predict-observe-explain strategy was used during the demonstrations in order to increase students’ curiosity. A ‘Children’s Science Curiosity Scale’ was administered before and after demonstrations to a total of 181 (96 female (53%) and 85 male (47%)) elementary school grade 6 (21%), grade 7 (36%), and grade 8 (43%) students in this one group pre-test post-test design study. A paired-samples t-test was conducted to investigate the impact of the demonstration intervention on students’ scores on the Children’s Science Curiosity Scale. There found a statistically significant mean difference between students’ pre (M =106.3, SD =24.03) and post-test scores (M=113.3, SD =20.59, t (178) =−3.52, p < .005). The eta squared statistics (η = 0.065) indicated a moderate effect size.
ISSN:0094-243X
1551-7616
DOI:10.1063/1.4944315