Reasons

Reasons for conducting investigations

Watch the enthusiasm and confidence of these students as they briefly report the results of their investigation.

Hackling quotes teachers giving the following reasons why they conduct hands-on investigations:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• concrete experience of natural phenomena

• experiencing and developing an understanding of the nature of science

• conceptual development.

Skills:

• language development

• developing investigation and problem-solving skills

• developing techniques and manipulative skills associated with using scientific equipment

• learning to work cooperatively.

Attitudes:

• motivation and enjoyment of science

• stimulate curiosity and creativity.

MyScience wholeheartedly endorses that learning science by actually doing hands-on investigations efficiently and effectively addresses science understanding, skills and attitudes.

Hackling (2005, page 14) quotes teachers identifying the following barriers to conducting open investigations.

Barriers to conducting open investigations:

• crowded curriculum

• investigative skills not recognised in traditional assessments

• students need set procedures

• classroom management, equipment, safety.

Hackling addresses the later two issues by providing scaffolding tools to assist teachers and students to plan and independently carry out investigations.