ERIC Number: EJ1033153
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0950-0693
EISSN: N/A
Elementary Science Education in Classrooms and Outdoors: Stakeholder Views, Gender, Ethnicity, and Testing
Carrier, Sarah J.; Thomson, Margareta M.; Tugurian, Linda P.; Stevenson, Kathryn Tate
International Journal of Science Education, v36 n13 p2195-2220 2014
In this article, we present a mixed-methods study of 2 schools' elementary science programs including outdoor instruction specific to each school's culture. We explore fifth-grade students in measures of science knowledge, environmental attitudes, and outdoor comfort levels including gender and ethnic differences. We further examine students' science and outdoor views and activity choices along with those of adults (teachers, parents, and principals). Significant differences were found between pre- and posttest measures along with gender and ethnic differences with respect to students' science knowledge and environmental attitudes. Interview data exposed limitations of outdoor learning at both schools including standardized test pressures, teachers' views of science instruction, and desultory connections of alternative learning settings to "school" science.
Descriptors: Elementary School Science, Science Education, Classroom Environment, Outdoor Education, Stakeholders, Gender Differences, Ethnicity, Mixed Methods Research, School Culture, Grade 5, Knowledge Level, Environmental Education, Student Attitudes, Pretests Posttests, Interviews, Beliefs, Self Efficacy, Science Instruction, Teaching Methods, Educational Practices, Parent Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Administrator Attitudes, Classroom Observation Techniques, Early Experience
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A