Learning Science in Context: Integrating a Holistic Approach to Nature of Science in the Lower Secondary Classroom

Abstract

Erduran and Dagher’s (2014) account of the Family Resemblance Approach (FRA) to Nature of Science (NOS) is a relatively new framework that frames NOS in a holistic fashion, inclusive of cognitive-epistemic and social-institutional aspects. This approach has also been referred to as the “Reconceptualized Family Resemblance Approach to Nature of Science” or shortly “RFN” by Kaya and Erduran (Science & Education, 25, 1115–1133, 2016) to differentiate it from a philosophical account of FRA. The premise of FRA is to portray science holistically in science classrooms. This study aimed to develop an instructional sequence based on RFN, investigating its effectiveness on 5th-grade students’ understanding of NOS and their ability to attain NOS-related learning goals. Employing a quasi-experimental, convergent parallel mixed method study design, 13 weeks of intervention were conducted with regular or RFN-based instruction in control and experimental groups, respectively. Participants were 64 female 5th-grade (10–11 years of age) students from Turkey. RFN Student Questionnaire was implemented before, after, and two months after the intervention. More data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews before and after the intervention and collecting activity sheets and quizzes throughout the term. Mixed ANOVA results showed that the development of experimental students’ understanding of NOS from pre-test to post-test was significantly better than their peers in terms of total and category-based scores except for the aims and values of science and scientific practices categories. Analysis of student interviews and the attainment of RFN-based learning goals supported these results. Only one incongruence was found, and that was in terms of the scientific practices category. Overall, the study has implications for integrating a holistic account of NOS in secondary science education.

Appendix

1.1 RFN Student Questionnaire

Please note that the questionnaire is a translation of the original in Turkish. It has not been adapted and validated in English. It is provided here for contextualizing the results reported in the paper.

We kindly ask you to read each item carefully and express your answer by putting an (X) in the appropriate place. If there is an expression that you do not fully understand, please indicate it next to it. You must answer all the questions.

	Strongly disagree (1)	Disagree (2)	Neither agree nor disagree (3)	Agree (4)	Strongly agree (5)
1. Scientific knowledge does not change.
2. Scientists examine and evaluate each other's work.
3. Experiments are reliable because they have been extensively repeated by scientists.
4. Science takes place in institutions such as universities and research centers.
5. The same scientific method is used in all branches of science such as physics, chemistry and biology (for example, when working on different subjects such as microscopic living things, animals, the structure of matter and force).
6. Science is affected by social relations between people and society.
7. Progress in science occurs when scientists review and evaluate scientific knowledge.
8. Scientists should respect the environment.
9. Examination and interpretation of scientific data (research results) are some of the scientific practices (applications).
10. Theories and laws are types of scientific knowledge; but models (for example, shape, symbol or picture) are not a type of scientific knowledge.
11. Scientists do not have to share their research with the public.
12. Scientific models (for example, shape, symbol, or picture) make it easier for us to understand complex scientific ideas.
13. Observation is used in all branches of science.
14. When solving problems, scientists have to use different methods to find enough evidence.
15. Scientists need money to do research.
16. Classifying (for example, classifying living things) helps scientists explain and predict events.
17. New methods and technologies (like cloning) produced by science can create new value judgments in societies.
18. The gender of scientists influences how they do science.
19. If scientists cannot prove their ideas by scientific methods such as experiment and observation, they should change their thinking.
20. Decisions taken by states affect the development of scientific knowledge.
21. Scientific models (such as the solar system model) are tools that represent real-world phenomena, entities, and situations.
22. Some scientists making more money than others causes tension among scientists.
23. Scientific knowledge is not affected by the personal opinions of scientists.
24. The races and nationalities of scientists do not affect science.
25. Theories, laws and models work together to form scientific knowledge.
26. Scientists use the same scientific practices (such as experiments, observations, data collection and models) when working in different branches of science such as physics, biology and chemistry (for example, on different subjects such as microscopic living things, animals, the structure of matter and force).
27. Scientists write scientific articles in academic journals.
28. Some of the theories have been accepted, while others are still being debated.
29. The formation process of scientific knowledge is not affected by values ​​such as objectivity and material expectations of scientists.
30. Scientists attend conferences to share their research with other scientists.
31. For a study to be considered scientific, scientists must have hypotheses (expectations) about the outcome at the beginning of the study.
32. The reliability of scientific studies is evaluated according to certain standards such as objectivity and sufficient evidence.
33. Theory, laws, and models help scientists explain and predict events.
34. Laws are more verifiable scientific information than theories.
35. Scientists use different methods such as experimentation and observation according to the question they are researching.
36. Scientists communicate with other scientists while doing research.
37. Scientific studies can only be done by changing the variables.