Interest in Biology: Grade-Dependent Differences and Benefits of Participating in Out-of-School Interventions

Autor/inn/en	Wegner, Claas; Schmiedebach, Mario
Titel	Interest in Biology: Grade-Dependent Differences and Benefits of Participating in Out-of-School Interventions
Quelle	In: International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 6 (2020) 3, S.427-434 (9 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2148-9955
Schlagwörter	Science Interests; Biology; Intervention; Program Effectiveness; Age Differences; Secondary School Students; Grade 7; Grade 9; Grade 12; Hands on Science; Foreign Countries; Biophysics; Laboratory Experiments; Field Trips; Extracurricular Activities; Adolescents; Workshops; Germany + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Biologie; Age; Difference; Age difference; Altersunterschied; Sekundarschüler; School year 07; 7. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 07; School year 09; 9. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 09; School year 12; 12. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 12; Ausland; Biophysik; Laboratory work; Laborarbeit; Exkursion; Außerunterrichtliche Aktivität; Adolescent; Adolescence; Adoleszenz; Jugend; Jugendalter; Jugendlicher; Lernwerkstatt; Schulung; Deutschland
Abstract	Many studies have shown a decrease in scientific interest with an increase in age. Since interest is linked to a high degree of deep-level learning, it is of great relevance to foster interest in science. This study investigates interest in biology from 7th, 9th, and 12th grade students in Germany (N=257). Results show a significantly lower interest in 9th grade in comparison to 7th grade, but a significantly higher level of interest in 12th grade compared to 9th grade. This increase could potentially be linked to the fact that students can chose to continue taking biology in upper secondary education, which leads them to be more interested in the subject. In order to increase interest in 9th grade students, a one-day intervention in an out-of-school student laboratory was developed. During the intervention, students conducted hands-on experiments to investigate the field of bionics. Students in 7th and 9th grade (N=121) participated in the intervention. An increase in interest in biology was observed in both grades. This highlights the potential of out-of-school laboratories to foster and develop interest. Future studies should investigate if the same effect is achieved using in-school interventions as well as looking at possible long-term effects. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	International Journal of Research in Education and Science. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya 42090 Turkey. e-mail: ijresoffice@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ijres.net
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01