Primary Students’ Conceptions about Issues in Astrobiology

Authors

  • Michael Skoumios University of the Aegean
  • Sofia Tsitini University of the Aegean

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.211.1646

Keywords:

Students' conceptions, Learning science, Primary school, Astrobiology

Abstract

Although students' conceptions about the natural world have been explored the research that studies the students' conceptions of issues related to the universe and the existence of life on it is limited. The present study aims to investigate lower primary students' conceptions on issues in Astrobiology. In particular, students' conceptions about the origin of the universe, the existence of the elements used by life on Earth elsewhere in the universe, the existence of life on other planets, the existence of other objects similar to the Sun, the existence of planets not orbiting the Sun, the elements needed for life and the possibility of life in extreme temperatures, were investigated. A questionnaire which was designed to be elicited students' conceptions was used as a research data collection tool. The questionnaire was given to 214 students aged 8 years old in Greece. Data analysis enabled the identification and registration of students' conceptions. It was found that most students use conceptions on several issues of Astrobiology differ from the views of school science knowledge.

Author Biographies

Michael Skoumios, University of the Aegean

Michael Skoumios

Assistant Professor,

Department of Primary Education,

University of Aegean

Greece

Dr Michael Skoumios obtained a first degree in Physics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 1987, a second degree in Education from the University of Aegean in 1992 and his PhD in Science Education from the Hellenic Open University in 2005. His research interests include science concept learning and teaching science in primary and secondary schools. He is currently teaching Science Education (Assistant Professor) in the Department of Primary Education of the University of the Aegean (Greece).

Sofia Tsitini, University of the Aegean

Sofia Tsitini graduated from the Department of Primary Education at University of Aegean.

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Published

2015-11-25

How to Cite

Skoumios, M., & Tsitini, S. (2015). Primary Students’ Conceptions about Issues in Astrobiology. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2(11). https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.211.1646

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 11 (2015): Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

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Articles

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