Making sense of secondary science: research into children's ideas

What ideas do children hold about the natural world? How do these ideas affect their learning of science? When children begin secondary school they already have knowledge and ideas about many aspects of the natural world from their experiences both in primary classes and outside school. 

These ideas contribute to subsequent learning and research has shown that teaching is unlikely to be effective unless it takes learners' perspectives into account. Making Sense of Secondary Science: Research into Children's Ideas provides a concise, accessible summary of the research that has been done internationally in this area. 

The research findings are arranged in three main sections: life and living processes; materials and their properties; and physical processes.  Much of this material has hitherto been difficult to access and its publication in this convenient form will be welcomed by all science teachers, both in initial training and in schools, who want to deepen their understanding of how their children think.

Show health and safety information

Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.

Subject(s)Science
Author(s)Rosalind Driver, Ann Squires, Peter Rushworth, Valerie Wood-Robinson
Age11-14, 14-16
Published1994
Published by
Shelf referenceA 507.12 DRI
ISN/ISBN9780415097659
Direct URLhttps://www.stem.org.uk/x85yj

This is a physical resource. Come and visit the National STEM Learning Centre library to see it.

Find out more about the Centre