Primary school students' conceptions about scientists: "Potions, machines, monsters, inventions and other crazy things"

• Autores: Pedro Reis, Sara Rodrigues, Filipa Santos
• Localización: REEC: Revista electrónica de enseñanza de las ciencias, ISSN-e 1579-1513, Vol. 5, Nº. 1, 2006
• Idioma: español
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• Resumen

  • Currently, understanding the nature of science is regarded as an essential aspect of scientific literacy, vital to an informed, critical and responsible assessment of the scientific and technological policies and proposals (Cachapuz, Praia & Jorge, 2002; Millar e Osborne, 1998). This paper describes a qualitative study about the conceptions of a group of 48 primary school students (2nd and 4th grades) regarding the nature of science. By analyzing the content of the plots in stories and pictures the students created about scientists' work, possible conceptions about scientists' scientific endeavor and activity were identified. Then some of the participants underwent semi-structured interviews in order to discuss some of the ideas included in those documents. This research revealed the potential of this methodological approach in diagnosing students' conceptions about scientists' characteristics, activity and motivations. The reality of science was found to consist, for most participants, of a set of stereotypical, distorted ideas conveyed by the media. The absence of any form of intervention on behalf of the school concerning the critical analysis of these ideas and discussing aspects of the nature of science was also noted. Based on these results, several educational implications are presented.