The Effects of Hands-on Learning
Stations on Building American
Elementary Teachers’
Understanding about Earth and
Space Science Concepts
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1
Uludağ Üniversitesi, Bursa, TURKEY
2
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Publication date: 2010-06-21
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2010;6(2):85-99
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Research on conceptual change indicates that not only children, but also teachers have
incomplete understanding or misconceptions on science concepts. This mixed methods
study was concerned with in-service teachers’ understanding of four earth and space
science concepts taught in elementary school: reason for seasons, phases of the moon,
rock cycle, and earthquakes. The participants were 29 second year graduate students in an
Urban Master Program at a southeastern American university. The data sources were: an
open-ended survey given before and after participation in six hands-on learning stations
on earth science concepts and teacher reflections in dialogue journals while participating in
the stations. Rubrics were used to score answers to each survey question. Findings indicate
that in-service teachers have low conceptual understanding of the earth and space science
concepts taught in elementary school. Secondly, paired samples t-tests results showed that
participation in hands-on stations on these science concepts changed teachers’
understandings of these topics. Finally, dialogue journals contained useful positive
reflections, negative reflections, suggestions, and comments on preference to teach the
activities in the future. This study has implications for teacher preparation programs, staff
development, and conceptual change practices at elementary schools.