Astrobiology outreach and the nature of science: the role of creativity.

Abstract:

:There is concern in many developed countries that school students are turning away from science. However, students may be choosing not to study science and dismissing the possibility of a scientific career because, in the junior secondary years, they gain a false view of science and the work of scientists. There is a disparity between science as it is portrayed at school and science as it is practiced. This paper describes a study to explore whether engaging in science through astrobiology outreach activities may improve students' understanding of the nature and processes of science, and how this may influence their interest in a career in science. The results suggest that the students attending these Mars research-related outreach activities are more interested in science than the average student but are lacking in understanding of aspects of the nature of science. A significant difference was detected between pre- and posttest understandings of some concepts of the nature of science.

journal_name

Astrobiology

journal_title

Astrobiology

authors

Fergusson J,Oliver C,Walter MR

doi

10.1089/ast.2012.0873

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2012-12-01 00:00:00

pages

1143-53

issue

12

eissn

1531-1074

issn

1557-8070

journal_volume

12

pub_type

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