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Factors Influencing Science Content Accuracy in Elementary Inquiry Science Lessons

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Abstract

Elementary teachers face increasing demands to engage children in authentic science process and argument while simultaneously preparing them with knowledge of science facts, vocabulary, and concepts. This reform is particularly challenging due to concerns that elementary teachers lack adequate science background to teach science accurately. This study examined 81 in-classroom inquiry science lessons for preservice education majors and their cooperating teachers to determine the accuracy of the science content delivered in elementary classrooms. Our results showed that 74 % of experienced teachers and 50 % of student teachers presented science lessons with greater than 90 % accuracy. Eleven of the 81 lessons (9 preservice, 2 cooperating teachers) failed to deliver accurate science content to the class. Science content accuracy was highly correlated with the use of kit-based resources supported with professional development, a preference for teaching science, and grade level. There was no correlation between the accuracy of science content and some common measures of teacher content knowledge (i.e., number of college science courses, science grades, or scores on a general science content test). Our study concluded that when provided with high quality curricular materials and targeted professional development, elementary teachers learn needed science content and present it accurately to their students.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (Grant No. ESI-0455685). The authors would like to acknowledge the generous assistance of Sally Beauman and Elaine Mangiante who assisted us with logistics of the data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA

    Barbara L. Nowicki, Barbara Sullivan-Watts, Minsuk K. Shim & Betty Young

  2. Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA

    Robert Pockalny

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  1. Barbara L. Nowicki
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  2. Barbara Sullivan-Watts
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  3. Minsuk K. Shim
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  4. Betty Young
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Correspondence to Barbara L. Nowicki.

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Nowicki, B.L., Sullivan-Watts, B., Shim, M.K. et al. Factors Influencing Science Content Accuracy in Elementary Inquiry Science Lessons. Res Sci Educ 43, 1135–1154 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-012-9303-4

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