Abstract
Recent years have seen an increase in scientist-led hands-on science outreach events aiming to improve childrens performance and engagement with science. Despite positive links with performance and motivation,the effect of scientists on childrens science self-efficacy beliefs is currently unknown. Science self-efficacy can be influenced through four sources: mastery experience, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion and emotional state. Scientists may provide verbal persuasion to children participating in hands-on science events. This proceedingspaperdescribes a case studyembedded in a largermixed-methods quasi-experimental studyinvestigatingthe effect of scientists on childrens science self-efficacy beliefs after participating ina hands-on science eventon molecular biology.Thiscase study analysisexplored fourchildrens experiences of the scientist-led event and how it affected their science self-efficacy.Several sources of data were collected, including pre-and post-intervention questionnaire results, post-intervention interviews and recorded observations of the hands-on session. Findings indicatedthat children perceived the scientist facilitators to be credibly competent in science. However, the true potential effects of verbal persuasion from scientists remains unclear. Scientist facilitators mayincrease childrens science self-efficacy in skills related to the sessionthroughthe provision of a helpful and supportive environment. These findings will be further investigated through the analysis of the larger quasi-experimental study.
Strand 16, Chapter 233
https: www.esera.org publications esera-conference-proceedings esera-2019
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) Conference 2019 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2021 |
Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)
- Authors
- S. Carroll, V. McCauley & M. Grenon