Abstract Although a well‐corroborated scientific theory, the theory of evolution has continued to cause dilemmas for some individuals who have not easily been able accommodate concepts this within their “cognitive culture.” The reason lies in overlap ideas that advocates with other social, epistemological, and religious beliefs. This study describes how 11 college biology students completed course on perceive relationship among epistemological beliefs about science, religion, perception...

Abstract Engaging in systemic reasoning about ecological issues is critical for early elementary students to develop future understanding of environmental such as global warming and loss biodiversity. However, are rarely taught ways highlight schools. In this study, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with 44 from the first through fourth grades. Using an iterative process, developed empirically grounded learning progression that captures how use explain interactions ecosystems. This...

This study examines to what extent elementary students use feedback loop reasoning, a key component of systems thinking, reason about interactions among organisms in ecosystems. We conducted clinical interviews with 44 (1st through 4th grades). asked explain how populations change two contexts: sustainable ecosystem and an that is missing predators. used iterative process develop learning progression for the code interview episodes. The produces three findings. First, very few recognised...

The purpose of this study is to elucidate how the Japanese students' reasoning about ecosystems first through sixth grade students differs across grades using learning progressions (LPs) approach. This was conducted oral interviews. Structured interviews were with 12 from grade. results suggested that by their level, specifically, improves as they move upper grades.

This study examined the challenges that pre-service teachers faced when implementing inquiry and their perspective on how to overcome them. The data sample was 55 (PSTs) enrolled into two sections of a science methods course in private university North Texas. sources consisted inquiry-based lesson plans, PST interviews, peer teaching observational notes, field notes investigate those challenges. were coded through designed rubrics for plans sessions analyzed using constant comparative...

Learners are expected to discuss and debate, using scientific evidence, the Socio-Scientific Issues (SSI) that often overlap with personal experiences ethical dilemmas. This study investigated reasoning of 24 Grade 8 Lebanese students when arguing about a scenario as opposed an SSI. It also examined how make decisions reason SSIs. Results showed students' is more emotional in socio-scientific contexts than ones. Also, was based on macroscopic (observed) characteristics phenomenon SSI but...

We present this brief report to readers of the Journal on editorial operations for JRST during 2010 calendar year. Additional information and initiatives can be found in our reports at http://jrst-editors.net. Comments or questions are welcome website. The 2009 ISI Impact Factor ratings were released summer 2010, through efforts prior team achieved an impact factor 1.91, making it 13th out 139 Education/Educational research category placing ahead other journals field. For year, staff...

Research suggests that students hold misconceptions about the immune system, but little is known how they reason mechanisms by which system operates. This study investigated reasoned in Beirut, Lebanon. The used a qualitative approach and 16 Grade 12 participants who learned an immunology unit for one month. Data analysis was based on students' responses during pre/post written assessment one-on-one semi-structured post-unit interviews to determine levels of reasoning. results revealed...

This study investigates undergraduate pre-service understanding and views of nature science (NOS) before after engaging with a socioscientific issues-based unit based on the COVID-19 pandemic. The consisted lessons about viruses bacteria, COVID-19, spread disease, NOS. data sources pre- post-semi-structured interviews post-questionnaires. After in post-interviews, most students held transitional each NOS aspect (tentativeness, process, society, creativity). However, some had informed...

Editorial for the special issue "Enhancing Environmental Literacy in K-12 Science Classrooms"

Feedback loop reasoning is an important stepping-stone toward systems thinking.To date, studies on feedback in ecology have focused college students, while only a limited effort has been made to investigate more general thinking of students at the lower elementary level.The goal this study how reason about relationships among interdependent organisms (predator-prey), and address knowledge sources as part context topic.This was conducted three countries, with 128 first through fourth grader...