The aim of this research is to examine the effects of hands-on science activities incorporating cooperative learning approach on eighth grade students attitudes toward science. The sample of the study consisted of 55 students from two different eighth grade classrooms in an Elementary School which was taught by the same science teacher. The research was carried out during the spring term of 2003-2004 educational year for 15 weeks. The classrooms were chosen randomly as a control and an experimental group. In the experimental group, hands-on science activities were applied along with cooperative learning approach; whereas in the control group, the same activities were applied using teacher-centered approach. In order to assess the effects of hands-on science activities incorporating
cooperative learning approach on eighth grade students, Attitudes Toward Science Scale (ATSS) was applied as pre and post tests to control and experimental groups. Analysis of results showed that there is a statistically significant mean difference between the experimental and control groups on post-ATSS results and the statistical difference is in the favor of experimental group. In addition, there is no sitatistical mean difference between boys and girls post-ATSS scores in control group while there is a statistically significant mean difference in favor of the girls between boys and girls post-ATSS scores in the experimental group. In order to improve the students attitudes toward science, some suggestions are given under the light of the findings of this study and under the guidence of the previous research in the literature in this field.
Key words: Attitude, Hands-On Science Activities, Cooperative Learning Approach, Teacher-Centered Teaching Approach
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