Scientific thought and experimental ability

Researcher Sonja Peteranderl

This project is connected to the Swiss STEM study. The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate experiment training for elementary school pupils in grades 5 and 6. The training encompasses direct instruction, the demonstration of experiments as well as pupils' own experiments. The overarching goal is to develop an understanding of the necessity of variable control in science experiments. In addition, a paper-based test is being developed, which will evaluate the pupils' experimental competencies.

As part of the project, we will carry out a contolled experimental study in the classroom, in order to evaluate the training in practice. The study also examineshow well the training prepares the pupils for content-based learning from their own experiments in subsequent teaching units, as well as the extent to which it promotes their general ability to explore and solve complex problems.