Exploring marine ecosystems with elementary school Portuguese children: inquiry-based project activities focused on 'real-life' contexts. Issue 6 (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guilherme, Elsa; Faria, Cláudia; Boaventura, Diana
• Is Part Of: Education 3-13. Volume 44:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 715
• Page End: 726
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: elementary school education -- science education -- project approach -- inquiry activities -- out-of-school activities; Education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Education, Primary -- Periodicals; Education, Elementary -- Periodicals; 372.942
• DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2015.1007884
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-4279

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of the study was to investigate how young students engage in an inquiry-based project driven by real-life contexts. Elementary school children were engaged in a small inquiry project centred on marine biodiversity and species adaptations. All activities included the exploration of an out-of-school setting as a learning context. A total of 49 students and 2 teachers were involved in the activities. The research methods included observation, document analysis and content analysis of the answers to a questionnaire and an interview. The results revealed that most of the students acquired scientific knowledge related to biological diversity and adaptations to habitat. Moreover, students progressively demonstrate greater autonomy, argumentative ability and decision-making. One implication of the present study is that elementary science curriculum could be better managed with inquiry project-based activities that explore different types of resources and out-of-school settings.