Lodge, Wilton;
Reiss, Michael J;
Sheldrake, Richard;
(2022)
Investigative school research projects in biology: Effects on students.
Presented at: ERIDOB 2022, Nicosa, Cyprus.
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Abstract
Science education is sometimes orientated around students learning science by doing science. Investigative research projects may be intended to reflect some aspects of science more authentically than other teaching and learning approaches, such as confirmatory practical activities and teacher demonstrations. What remains under-researched is what the effects on students are as a result of undertaking such projects. In this study we collected data from students who were participating in investigative research projects. Our research question is ‘How do secondary school students participating in a biology research project see science and themselves in relation to it?’. Twelve 12-18 year-olds who were undertaking biology research projects in England participated in 1:1 interviews in 2021. There was an association between the participants’ motivation for engaging with the investigative research project and their science identities, with many of them articulating that the project provided them with an “authentic” experience of what “real scientists” do. Participants were nearly always positive about taking part in a research project; this was particularly the case for those students who presented their findings at a conference, where presenters received feedback from peers and members of the science community. For some of the participants, engaging in an investigative research project afforded them opportunities not only to develop their scientific inquiry skills but to gain a deeper understanding of the epistemological dimensions of science and its connection with historical, cultural and social values. This greater appreciation and insight into the nature of science increased their science-related career aspirations.
| Type: | Conference item (Presentation) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Investigative school research projects in biology: Effects on students |
| Event: | ERIDOB 2022 |
| Location: | Nicosa, Cyprus |
| Dates: | 29 August - 02 September 2022 |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Publisher version: | https://2022.eridob.org/ |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10154721 |
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