Development and Application of a Science Camp Program for Gifted Elementary School Students

초등과학 영재 캠프 프로그램의 개발 및 적용

A Science Camp Program was developed and applied as an intensified course for gifted students. The implications for the development and implementation of out-of-school science activities were also deduced through the analysis of the preliminary application results. The key point of the science camp program is to boost students' science inquiry skills through self-directed activities. Several positive effects in terms of interest and participation in the program were observed and some implications were derived as follows; (1) The program should provide the students with more opportunities for discussion and debate in group activities. (2) The tasks need be divided into two parts; basic tasks and optional tasks in order to ensure that the students engage in fewer tasks more intensively. (3) Each activity needs sufficient orientation taking consideration of the possibility that not all students may be ready for the inquiry. (4) The use of real examples of scientific research processes can help the students develop open inquiry skills and problem posing skills.