• Journal of Science Education
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.144-165
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to develop 'Appropriate Technology' theme STEAM Program for the elementary students and investigate the effects of the program on creative thinking activity, scientific attitude and leadership. Participants were 3grade 85 elementary school students. Before and after the program, the participants were asked to take the tests about creative thinking activity, scientific attitude and leadership. The major results of this study were as follows. First, the total score of experimental group's creative thinking activity and all 4 sub-domains was significantly improved than those of comparative group(p<.05). Second, the total score of experimental groups' scientific attitude was significantly improved than that of comparative group(p<.05). Among 7 sub-domains, curiosity, voluntariness, perseverance were significantly developed. Third, total score of experimental groups' leadership was significantly increased than that of comparative group after the STEAM program (p<.05). In the first factor, the score of inner and inter personal characteristics were significantly developed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.169-179
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• 2008

In this study, 46 teaching materials for understanding the nature of science (NOS) were developed based on the 42 statements describing the NOS. Each teaching material involves scientific knowledge and scientific inquiry skills as well as NOS statements. Teaching materials consist of students' learning worksheets and teachers' guides. Among the materials, 11 materials for understanding the nature of scientific thinking (NOST) were applied to 3 scientifically gifted students. As results, the degree of difficulty was appropriate and students showed interests in scientific thinking rather than new concepts or inquiry activities involved in the materials. It was expected that understating the NOST would be helpful for conducting scientific inquiry in more authentic way. And similarly to the Park's (2007) theoretical discussions about the relationship between the NOS and scientific creativity, students actually responded that undertrading the NOST could help their creativity. Therefore, it was expected that teaching the NOST would be plausible elements for teaching scientific creativity.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.189-198
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the We Start center visiting intervention program on the positive changes in the developmental areas and literacy interests of young children from low-income families. The subjects were 195 young children (109 in the experimental group, M=71.7 months; 86 in the control group, M=73.3 months) living in We Start areas (Ansan, Gwangmyeong, and Suwon cities) of Gyeonggi-do. The We Start center visiting intervention programs were conducted for 30-34 weeks in each city, and pre-tests and post-tests were conducted before and after the intervention programs. The instruments used were the developmental checklist and the literacy interests test The developmental checklist consisted of 7 domains (personality & sociality; language, reading, & writing; scientific thinking; mathematical thinking; arts; social learning; and physical development). The literacy interests test consisted of 2 factors (interest in literacy and interaction during activity). The scores on the developmental checklist showed positive changes in several domains (personality & social development; language, reading, & writing ability; scientific thinking; and social learning), but not in mathematical thinking, arts, and physical development. Second, the results of the literacy interests test showed positive effects on interaction during activity and the total score. In conclusion, the We Start center visiting program for young children from low-income families is an effective early intervention program to end the intergenerational transference of poverty in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.100-112
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• 2021

Based on the importance of visual representation for scientific understanding, this study applied visual thinking in elementary science classes. This study analyzed elementary students' visual thinking and investigated the instructional influences. Students' perceptions on the class applying visual thinking were also investigated. The subject were 38 fourth grade students, 18 in experimental group and 20 in control group. For the unit of 'Shadow and mirror', on-line and off-line blended classes were applied in both group because of COVID-19. The experimental group student were asked to construct their own visual thinking, while the control group students used traditional workbook. The results were as follows. First, students' visual thinking can be classified into three different types, which are 'activity recall type', 'result summary type', and 'core concept representation type' based on what they represent rather than how they represent. Second, applying visual thinking in science class showed significant effects on science academic achievement, science related attitude, and creative academic efficacy. Third, students' perceptions on applying visual thinking in science classes were very positive. Students perceived visual thinking activities were interesting and helpful for understanding science. Educational implications of applying visual thinking in elementary science classes were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of chemistry program based on metacognitive learning strategies using realistic contents on prospective teachers' creative thinking skills and science core competencies, and their perception. In particular, it was intended to further improve the effectiveness of the program by introducing a strategy to strengthen metacognition. Participants were classified into the experimental group subject to the newly developed chemistry curriculum and traditional group subject to general programs that exclude realistic contents and metacognitive strategies. Both groups were surveyed before and after the application of the program to measure the degree of change in metacognitive competencies, creative thinking competencies, and science core competencies. It also analyzed the impact of metacognitive competencies and science core competencies on creativity thinking competencies. As a result of the study, relevance and rationality among sub-factors of metacognitive competencies and creative thinking competencies of the experimental group were improved, and all sub-factors except for scientific participation and lifelong learning ability among science core competencies were significantly improved. In addition, it was found that metacognitive knowledge among metacognitive competencies, scientific inquiry ability and scientific thinking ability among science core competencies affect creative thinking competencies. Through the results, it was suggested that realistic content that incorporates metacognitive learning strategies is needed to improve creative thinking competencies, and learning models and programs that can utilize them are needed.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.145-161
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• 2021

This study analyzes the characteristic of elementary science-gifted education winner programs in Gifted Education Database (GED) focusing on scientific creativity. For this purpose, an analysis framework to analyze the programs was developed and a total of 840 inquiry activities from 55 winner programs were analyzed according to the analysis framework. The analysis of the results reveal that 'scientific inquiry skill' of the five scientific creativity components was most frequently included in the activities. 'Scientific knowledge content' and 'creative thinking' were also frequently included. However, 'problem solving ability' and 'common factor' were a little included. In the aspects of integration, the integrations between two or three components with five or eight types were frequently found. No integrations were also frequently included although less than the previous categories. The integrations among four with four types or five components were also slightly found. 'Scientific knowledge content', 'scientific inquiry skills', and 'creative thinking' with other components were more frequently found. However, the integrations of 'common factor' or 'problem solving ability' with the other components were less frequently found. Educational implications of these findings are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.419-429
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• 2006

This study investigated gender differences in the factors affecting elementary school students' ability to identify scientific problems. Scientific problem finding tasks, involving written instruments including IQ tests, content knowledge, science process skills, divergent thinking skills, intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, personality traits, and home environment were administered to 96 elementary school students(male; 50 & female: 46). The data collected was analyzed by means of a t-test, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression analysis, and canonical correlation analysis. The finding indicated that there were significant gender differences in scientific problem finding performance. Female students were significantly higher in both total score and elaborate score of scientific problem finding than male students. Personality traits and intrinsic motivation positively and extrinsic motivation negatively predicted male students' abilities in scientific problem finding. Science process skills, personality traits and intrinsic motivation positively and extrinsic motivation negatively predicted female students' scientific problem finding and IQ positively predicted female students' elaborate score of scientific problem finding.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to analyze the structural model of causal effects of students' variables on science process skills. Student characteristics investigated in the study included attitude related to the science, logical thinking ability, scientific experiences, cognitive style. Covariance structural modeling procedures were used to test causal inferences about hypothesized relationships. The sample consisted of 319 6th grade students and 321 8th grade students in Seoul City, Korea. Five instruments were used in the study, TSPS(test of science process skills), GALT(group assessment of logical thinking), CEFT(children embedded figures test), questionnaire of attitude related to the science, questionnaire of scientific experience. For statistical analysis, the study adopted the structural equation modeling with LlSREL, a computer statistical program developed by J reskog and S rbom. Major findings of the study are as follows:1) Logical thinking ability has a most strong direct effect on science process skills. 2) The structural coefficient of scientific experience influence on attitude related to the science has the greatest direct one than the others in the covariance structural model. According to the results of this study, it is very importance that various scientific experiences, particularly hands-on activity, should be offer to students to improve science process skills. Also, understanding the relationships of student variable to science process skills will be helpful to decision making on the part of curriculum developers, science teachers and researchers.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.301-311
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to construct a structural equation model and to analyze causal relationships among variables related to attitudes to science using structural equation modeling(SEM) with LISREL VII. The sample consisted of 483 10th grade boys from a general high school in Pusan, Korea. The questionnaires (ABC-attitude scale: affection, behavioral intention, cognition scale of attitude towards science) were developed by the researcher through a pilot study. And other instruments have modified previous ones. Five instruments were used in this study: GALT(group assessment of logical thinking), MTSlS(modified test of science inquiry skill), ABC-attitude scale, MSAS(modified scientific attitude scale), CSAT(common science achievement test). Structural equation modeling with LISREL VII($J\ddot{o}reskog$ & $S\ddot{o}rbom,$ 1993) was employed to estimate the causal inferences about hypothesized relationships among observed data sets. Three competing models consisted of five latent variable(scientific thinking ability, science inquiry skill, attitude towards science, scientific attitude, science achievement) - lP(inquiry preceding) model, AP(attitude preceding) model and AM(attitude mediating) model - were developed. Among these competing models, IP model satisfied the observed data sets. The causal relationships among "attitudes to science" and other latent variables were reliably identified. According to the results of the present study, science inquiry skill was the most significant variable that can predict science achievement. But scientific thinking ability has not directly influenced science achievement. This study suggests that inquiry based teaching-learning processes should be offered to students for improvement of science achievement. At the same time, it seems to be important to develop positive attitude towards science. Understanding of relationships among variables related to attitudes to science will be helpful to the development of science curriculum and to the design of science teaching and learning process. LISREL has been recognized as a useful approach in testing a SEM. However, in this study, LISREL approach was estimated as much more useful method for research design.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.218-233
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to explore science teacher's epistemological understanding of science and science teaching and learning, from the perspective of inquiry as the process of scientific knowledge building. Three science teachers participated in this study. The data were collected from individual in-depth interviews and classroom videotaping. The results show a case involving coherent and consistent data. It showed that the teacher's epistemological understanding of science and science teaching and learning consisted of five categories: scientists doing science with scientific thinking; scientific thinking as the process of knowing; science learner in the learning process of scientific thinking; science teacher as a man/woman with good understandings of science; and teaching and learning as the process of knowing science. Based on the results, discussions and implications about science education and science teacher education were presented.