Informal Science Educators: Understanding Their Goals for Preschool-Aged Audiences

Autor/inn/en	Plummer, Julia D.; Crowl, Michele M.; Tanis Ozcelik, Arzu
Titel	Informal Science Educators: Understanding Their Goals for Preschool-Aged Audiences
Quelle	In: Research in Science Education, 51 (2021) 5, S.1269-1286 (18 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Plummer, Julia D.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0157-244X
DOI	10.1007/s11165-019-09868-y
Schlagwörter	Informal Education; Science Education; Science Teachers; Preschool Teachers; Preschool Children; Classification; Environment; Hands on Science; Teaching Methods; Active Learning; Creative Activities; Goal Orientation + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Informelle Bildung; Nichtformale Bildung; Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung; Science; Teacher; Teachers; Science teacher; Wissenschaft; Lehrer; Lehrerin; Lehrende; Pre-school education; Preschool education; Erzieher; Erzieherin; Kindergärtnerin; Vorschulerziehung; Vorschule; Pre-school age; Preschool age; Child; Children; Vorschulalter; Kind; Kinder; Vorschulkind; Vorschulkinder; Classification system; Klassifikation; Klassifikationssystem; Umwelt; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Aktives Lernen; Zielorientierung; Zielvorstellung
Abstract	Informal science educators' (ISEs) work with young children has received limited attention in the literature. We investigated ISEs' goals for preschool-aged audiences (3- to 5-year-old children), methods they describe for achieving these goals, and how ISEs understand young children as "doing science" in their venues. We interviewed 35 ISEs working at informal science venues across the USA. Using thematic analysis, we generated codes and categories through iterative analysis of the interview data set. Our findings suggest ISEs most often described affective goals, conceptual learning goals, and a goal of increasing young children's awareness of nature and their world. ISEs frequently mentioned hands-on or active educational methods, creative experiences, and memorable experiences as ways they achieve their goals. Though science practices were rarely described as a goal for their preschool-aged audiences, ISEs believe young children are capable of participating in the practices of science and frequently described ways they provide opportunities for young children to participate in science practices, such as asking questions and collecting data. Our findings suggest a starting point for the field to understand how ISEs are working with and thinking about preschool-aged audiences, providing leverages for future professional development to support and strengthen ISEs' professional practice in engaging this audience in doing science. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01