Investigating Heat Transfer in a Metal Rod: A Case of Kindergarten Modeling-Based Learning in Science

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting Early Childhood and Elementary Science Learning (Table 16)

Abstract

Following research on using Modeling-based Learning (MbL) in kindergarten, in this case study we provide detailed descriptions of the implementation of MbL with a group of 24 kindergarten children studying heat transfer in a metal rod. Findings suggest that participating children successfully engaged in authentic MbL activities and developed several different types of models, as well as a variety of features of mechanistic reasoning. We use this evidence to argue that (a)different modeling tools may afford different learning opportunities; (b)kindergarten children have modeling resources that can use in order to utilize different MbL tools; and (c)different MbL tools may prevent or support children moving into a lower scalar lever of a more advanced mechanistic account of the phenomenon.

Authors

• Loucas T. Louca, European University Cyprus

• Melina Xeni, Ministry of Education and Culture, Cyprus