Effect of Teleconference Sessions With Scientists on Students' Perceptions of Scientists and Attitudes Toward Science

• In Event: 28.088 - Fairmont Royal York Roundtable Session Four
  In Roundtable Session: 28.088-7 - Middle-Grades STEM Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This pilot study examined the effects of participation in lunchtime teleconference sessions with professional scientists on middle-school students’ perceptions of scientists, their learning environment and attitudes towards science. The study utilized the Draw-A-Scientist Test (Chambers, 1983), Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (Taylor & Fraser, 1991) and the Test of Science Related Attitudes (Fraser, 1978) administered before and after the student’s year-long participation in the teleconference sessions.
The study’s findings suggest that participation in the program had generally positive effects on student’s perceptions of scientists as well as their attitudes towards science. A full study will be conducted in the upcoming year involving more students as well as a control group of students.

Authors

• Christopher Sean Long, University of North Texas

• Karthigeyan Subramaniam, University of North Texas

• Pamela E. Harrell, University of North Texas