ERIC Number: EJ1258529
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2148-9955
EISSN: N/A
Interest in Biology: Grade-Dependent Differences and Benefits of Participating in Out-of-School Interventions
Wegner, Claas; Schmiedebach, Mario
International Journal of Research in Education and Science, v6 n3 p427-434 Sum 2020
Many studies have shown a decrease in scientific interest with an increase in age. Since interest is linked to a high degree of deep-level learning, it is of great relevance to foster interest in science. This study investigates interest in biology from 7th, 9th, and 12th grade students in Germany (N=257). Results show a significantly lower interest in 9th grade in comparison to 7th grade, but a significantly higher level of interest in 12th grade compared to 9th grade. This increase could potentially be linked to the fact that students can chose to continue taking biology in upper secondary education, which leads them to be more interested in the subject. In order to increase interest in 9th grade students, a one-day intervention in an out-of-school student laboratory was developed. During the intervention, students conducted hands-on experiments to investigate the field of bionics. Students in 7th and 9th grade (N=121) participated in the intervention. An increase in interest in biology was observed in both grades. This highlights the potential of out-of-school laboratories to foster and develop interest. Future studies should investigate if the same effect is achieved using in-school interventions as well as looking at possible long-term effects.
Descriptors: Science Interests, Biology, Intervention, Program Effectiveness, Age Differences, Secondary School Students, Grade 7, Grade 9, Grade 12, Hands on Science, Foreign Countries, Biophysics, Laboratory Experiments, Field Trips, Extracurricular Activities, Adolescents, Workshops
International Journal of Research in Education and Science. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya 42090 Turkey. e-mail: ijresoffice@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ijres.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Grade 9; High Schools; Grade 12
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A