APPLICATION OF ACTIVITIES INTENDED TO PERCEIVE NATURE OF SCIENCE FOR 5TH AND 6TH GRADE STUDENTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to introduce two different activities in which students can understand nature of science fundamentally and to discuss the results of applied activities. The study is applied with the 5th and 6th grade students. 32 students in the 5th grade, 27 students in the 6th grade, 59 students in total have been participated in the study. There are 14 female students and 18 male students in the 5th grade, 14 female students and 13 male students in the 6th grade.  In this study, there are two activities called “Scientific Knowledge” and “Direct and Indirect Observation” which are intended to perceive nature of science and to comprehend the importance of observation with the difference of objectives in science curriculum. While the students are thinking about nature of science with the activity called Scientific Knowledge, they realize that science has a dynamic structure based on application and science may change as knowledge changes. Students have taken an opportunity to improve observation and scientific inquiry abilities and also defend their own arguments with the activity of Direct and Indirect Observation. This study has been the first step for our students to study scientifically enabling to think scientifically, to reach scientific knowledge and realize its importance.