Investigating Melting and Freezing: How Different Scalar Levels of Mechanistic Reasoning Look in Modeling-Based Learning in Kindergarten Science

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: SIG-Science Teaching and Learning Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Following research on using Modeling-based Learning (MbL) in kindergarten, this case study provides detailed descriptions of the implementation of MbL with a group of 21 kindergarten children studying (a) ice cube melting and (b) water freezing. Data included transcribed lessons and child-developed models. We coded the discourse data for mechanistic reasoning and child-constructed models using artifact analysis. Findings suggest that participating kindergarten children (a) can think productively across various scalar levels of mechanistic reasoning, although support to move across these levels is necessary; (b) working in step-by-step process of progressive MbL is crucial for children before moving to lower scalar levels of reasoning; and (c) multiple ways of analyzing the data provide better insights into the MbL process.

Authors

• Loucas T. Louca, European University Cyprus

• Maro Michaelidou, Ministry of Education and Culture, Cyprus