Can Understanding of Science Be Enhanced in Gifted Elementary School Children?

• In Event: 63.085 - Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: 63.085-1 - Fostering, Assessing, Mapping, and Enhancing Scientific Reasoning

Abstract

Understanding of science refers to the epistemology of science or the epistemic beliefs inherent in scientific knowledge and its development. Basic understanding of the epistemology of science can already be implemented and fostered in elementary school. The present study investigated the effectiveness of an extracurricular intervention addressing the understanding of science in a randomized control group design with repeated measures. Participants were 65 gifted children of third and fourth grade at elementary school level. Results showed that children assigned to the intervention compared to the control condition developed more sophisticated science-related epistemic beliefs. Girls benefited more from the intervention than boys. The data provides evidence for the effectiveness of the intervention.

Authors

• Julia Schiefer, University of Tübingen

• Kerstin Oschatz, University of Tübingen

• Maike Tibus, University of Tübingen

• Jessika Golle, University of Tübingen

• Ulrich Trautwein, University of Tubingen