• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.293-304
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• 2018

In spite of a growing number of recent studies that indicate students are coming to view scientists with more varied images, the stereotypical image of scientists remains in many students' minds. In this study, the authors explore how college students change their perceptions of science and scientists through the use of a documentary that focuses on scientists' daily lives, including laboratory life, and their emotional ups-and-downs. We analyzed 109 college students' essays on perceptions about scientists after watching the documentary. As a result, 64.2% of the college students declared that there was a change in their perception of scientists. The students' new perceptions of science and scientists are as follows: 1) scientists undergo emotional ups-and-downs just like any normal person; 2) scientists experience numerous failures while researching; 3) science does not have a fixed answer and scientists undertake research with creativity; 4) scientists conduct research in collaboration, but also in highly competitive environments; 5) scientists are often frustrated with their socio-economic status. The students' previous perceptions on science and scientists were mainly stereotypical ones that have been reported in previous studies. In addition, of the other college students who did not change their perceptions, the majority declared that they have new perceptions such as 1) - 5). Only a small percentage of students (7.3%) had unchanged stereotypical perceptions. These results are interpreted as that college students relatively easily change their stereotypical images of scientists after watching the documentary but, alternatively, the results can be interpreted that the most stereotypical images of college students are not perceptions that form a deep impression, but rather they are simply depictions of representative images of scientists given from outside sources (e.g. the mass media and school).

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of science class using the multimedia materials on high school students' attitude toward science. The subjects were 222 high school students. For this study, 11th graders at a high school were assigned to a comparison group and an experimental group. The experimental group was received science class using multimedia materials for 3 months. The research design was pretest-posttest control group design, the data were analyzed using PASW statistics 18.0 program. The types of multimedia materials used in experimental group were science fiction movies, science documentaries, TV programs, and Power Point presentations created by students. Before and after treatment, the attitude toward science tests were administered. Pre-tests and post-test score differences between 2 groups were analyzed by ANCOVA. The differences of attitude toward science based on gender were compared by analysis of covariance. And the perception on science class with multimedia materials were also investigated. The results of this study were as follows: First, the attitude toward science was improved significantly after applying science classes using multimedia materials. Especially, there were significant difference between pre-test and post-test in the score of attitude toward science class and attitude toward science content which were sub-area of attitude toward science. Second, there was no significant difference between female and male students in total score of attitude toward science. However, the attitude toward science, scientists and society, which was a sub-area of attitude toward science, female students scored significantly higher than male students. Third, 84% student showed a positive perception that the science class enhanced their interest in science. 69% the students responded that we had thought about Science-Technology-Society. Multimedia material types which the students prefered were science fiction movie, science documentaries, science TV programs, respectively.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1580-1598
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• 2012

The Study aimed to observe Science Experience's Type in parent school out of school institution and Meaning of Middle School- Science Gifted Students in Korea. Twelve middle school gifted education institution and science high school students participated in this study. Data source was retrospective and in-depth interviews with individuals. Results were as follows. First, science experience with parents influenced interest and inquiring mind in science, choice of career in field of science. Second, science experience in school curriculum recognized that gifted students have talents of themselves in science and changed in Attitude toward science from science teacher. Third, science experience with education institution for out of school curriculum changed interest in science from Experiment for identified scientific knowledge and obtained new product through creative inquiry process. Furthermore, It was gained self-confidence, feel a sense of accomplishment and a challenging, the spirit of team work including of taking lead the team.