What children think about ocean circulation: An exploratory study

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Investigations of Science Learning

Abstract

This investigation is an exploratory study of what students in third and fifth grades think about a major idea in ocean sciences—movement of water around one ocean. It is one of a few investigations that offer insights into what students think about ocean sciences concepts. Specifically, we examine students’ ideas about ocean circulation as a phenomenological precursor to their thinking about density. We conducted an interview study with 24 students who participated in a three-unit curriculum sequence on ocean sciences. While students have limited experience with the ocean and ocean concepts, findings suggested that students built sophisticated understanding of ocean circulation if given the opportunity through engaging activities and instruction.

Authors

• Lynn Uyen Tran, University of California - Berkeley

• Sarah Pedemonte, University of California - Berkeley