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Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 18, Issue 2, Article 7 (Dec., 2017) |
Teaching about nature of science through short lab activities in Hong Kong classroom
Kwok-chi LAU
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HONG KONGE-mail: lau.kwokchi@gmail.com
Received 2 Aug., 2017
Revised 13 Dec., 2017
The study evaluated the effectiveness of using short, school lab investigations to teach about the nature of science (NOS). A manipulated lab inquiry approach was used, which modified the investigations in ways that students were compelled to experience certain NOS aspects. An investigation about apple browning was used to teach about the underdetermination of scientific theory, and the outcomes were compared with the teaching using the case of dinosaur extinction. Pre-test and post-test were used to assess grade eight students' views in the contexts of the apple browning investigations and the case of dinosaur extinction. Both the apple browning investigation and the case of dinosaur extinction were found effective in enhancing students' views on underdetermination, but the apple browning investigation can produce greater transfer of learning across contexts. The significance of this approach to NOS teaching for East Asian regions was discussed.
Keywords: nature of science, scientific investigation, manipulated lab inquiry, underdetermination of scientific theory
