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Author(s):
Editorial Board.
Page No : 1-2
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COVER
Abstract
GAMTAMOKSLINIS UGDYMAS BENDROJO UGDYMO MOKYKLOJE – 2023
XXIX nacionalinės mokslinės-praktinės konferencijos straipsnių rinkinys, 2023 m. balandžio mėn. 28–29 d.
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NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL – 2023
Proceedings of the Twenty-ninth National Scientific-Practical Conference,
28-29 April, 2023
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Author(s):
Editorial Board.
Page No : 3-3
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CONTENTS
Abstract
GAMTAMOKSLINIS UGDYMAS BENDROJO UGDYMO MOKYKLOJE – 2023
XXIX nacionalinės mokslinės-praktinės konferencijos straipsnių rinkinys, 2023 m. balandžio mėn. 28–29 d.
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NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL – 2023
Proceedings of the Twenty-ninth National Scientific-Practical Conference,
28-29 April, 2023
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Author(s):
Ieva Karklelytė.
Page No : 4-19
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PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCES OF INQUIRY-BASED EDUCATION IN SCIENCE LESSONS
Abstract
Modern society emphasises the importance of engaging and involving children in the teaching/learning process and aims to make students active participants in the educational process. Both scientific and methodological literature suggests that one of the most useful methods of learning is experiential learning. The new Science Framework Programme (2022) is designed to enable primary school pupils to learn as much as possible about the world, to ask questions, to search for answers, to develop responsibility and to develop exploratory skills. The curriculum highlights the importance of inquiry in science learning, allowing pupils to experience the joy of exploring, to solve problems, to argue their choices, to find evidence and to support their conclusions.
In Lithuania, more research and articles are focusing on the benefits and importance of inquiry-based education for students. In general, most articles are about the educational process, activities and student achievement, while teachers are often left out. The aim of this study is to reveal the experiences of primary school teachers in inquiry-based education in science classrooms. The survey was carried out among 62 teachers, 93.5% of the respondents work as primary school teachers in public schools.
The research revealed that primary school teachers understand the importance and multiple benefits of inquiry-based education. Although teachers understand the importance of using exploratory activities in the classroom, the use of this method is relatively rare. It was observed that teachers who have recently started working as primary school teachers are the least likely to explore with their pupils. The data also revealed that the content of the "Taip" textbook is the most conducive for teachers to organise exploration activities in the classroom, while the content of the "Gilė" textbook is the least so. Teachers felt that inquiry-based education was most constrained by a lack of time, inadequate classrooms, and a lack of methodological materials and tools. A number of teachers identified one of the problems as the fact that they have to buy the tools needed for exploration out of their own finances. The experience of primary school teachers shows that there is a lack of seminars on how to organise exploration in the classroom, and that there is a need for more dissemination and funding for seminars.
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Author(s):
Vincentas Lamanauskas, Rita Makarskaitė-Petkevičienė.
Page No : 20-27
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ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES: THE POSITION OF PRE-SERVICE EARLY EDUCATION TEACHERS
Abstract
It is important to focus on the environmental awareness of pre-service teachers, as their decisions as future professionals can have an impact not only on the environment, but also on the education of the next generation. On the other hand, it is also useful for teachers to be aware of trends in students' environmental attitudes in order to be able to emphasise one or other of the sustainable development goals in the context of the curriculum. The main research question is what environmental attitudes have been developed by pre-service preschool, pre-primary and primary school teachers.
The study is a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) pilot study. The study was carried out between January and March 2023. The participants were 136 university students, pre-service pre-school, pre-primary and primary education teachers (pre-service early childhood teachers). The survey instrument used a 22-item scale. The statements were scored using an interval 5-point Likert scale. The quantitative data obtained from the survey were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean, standard deviation and significance index of the statements were calculated.
Environmental attitudes, like any other attitudes, influence human behaviour. Students have learned these behaviours from their parents and teachers since they were children. What they have expressed in this study is the result of many years of education and experience. Students are very clear about the importance of recycling, they are in favour of preserving biodiversity, conserving heat, responsible consumption in general, etc.
It is likely that pre-service teachers, having developed environmental attitudes and skills in practical environmental activities, will base their future professional life on these values and will transfer their experience to their learners in new contexts.
Environmental attitudes are becoming increasingly important as the ideas of sustainable development and sustainable living are reflected in the curriculum guidelines for pre-school education (2023) and in the pre-primary and primary curricula (2022).
Students' attitudes towards environmentalism reflect their relationship with the environment, and the high significance indexes (Sis) suggest that synergies are developing in the human-nature system. However, this calls for a new in-depth study of environmental attitudes.
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Author(s):
Rita Makarskaitė-Petkevičienė, Viktorija Zavackienė.
Page No : 28-40
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EARTH DAY EVENTS: SUSTAINABILITY IDEAS FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Abstract
As environmental issues become more relevant, more attention is paid to sustainability. Sweden's long-term experience shows that including sustainability topics in preschool education programs allows children to feel like they are masters of their planet, responsible for its future.
The article shares the experience of how environmental issues were discussed in a group of four-year-old children during the month-long educational activities dedicated to Earth Day.
With the help of the teacher, the children explained which human activities in nature are appropriate and which are not. They looked for evidence of such activities in the environment and shared their experiences. In Lithuanian, the spring months are named after birds. Children got to know rook, dove and cuckoo. They looked for signs of spring in the school yard. While performing a creative task, children shared their thoughts on how they can contribute to protecting the nature of the planet.
In other activities, children learned about our planet, its continents and oceans. After planting vegetable and flower seeds, they watched how the plants grew and developed. The peppered "continents" allowed the children to imagine that our planet is green and beautiful when many animals breed on it. So we have to preserve it as green and we are all responsible for its future. By researching and performing practical activities, children improved initiative and perseverance, knowledge of the environment, research, and problem solving skills.
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Author(s):
Eugenija Rudnickaitė.
Page No : 41-50
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A RETROSPECTIVE OF ONE HISTORICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION TOOL FOR TEACHERS
Abstract
The tool discussed in the article, intended for teachers, emphasizes the complex study of the school's natural environment, which is not the work of a single subject teacher, but the work of the entire team of school teachers with students.
All chapters contain specific subject specific instructions on how to carry out one or another research or observation, how to document and record observed phenomena, objects, processes, what tools are needed to carry out a specific research, and advice on how to make them.
It is understood that the exposure situation has changed. Some of the mentioned outcrops are already glazed or hidden under a considerable layer of deluvium. However, it is possible that a new outcrop has formed in another part of the same river slope. It should reveal geological layers similar to those described. In this way, even today, this "Guide..." can be useful for a teacher working with children in nature.
You just need to check the terms. Some may be obsolete.
This tool would be especially valuable for those starting to create local history museums in schools.
The only drawback is that it is too heavy to carry to the research objects.
I would think that even nowadays it is possible to assemble a team of scientists who, after revising the tool at the level of today's scientific knowledge, would publish it in one publication, consisting of several parts taken separately when going out into nature.
I hope this retrospective will become a perspective.
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Author(s):
Danguolė Savičienė.
Page No : 51-57
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EXPLORATORY WORK WITH THE CLASSROOM COMMUNITY: „ASSESSMENT OF THE POLLUTION OF THE SVENTOJI RIVER“ IN THE CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT „PLASTIC PIRATES“
Abstract
The Lithuanian coordinators of the new European eco-citizen science project "Plastic Pirates", the Lithuanian Centre for Non-formal Education for Schoolchildren, have invited the Lithuanian coordinators of the project to join the project. This project is not only internationally significant, but also has the distinction of being a citizen science project. It is a practice that is becoming increasingly popular around the world, where data can be collected by any citizen who wants to, and then the data collected is evaluated by scientists and used in real scientific research. The aim of the Plastic Pirates project is to strengthen scientific cooperation in Europe, promote citizen involvement in science, raise environmental awareness and reduce negative environmental impacts. The project has already been joined by 10 European Union countries. Through various activities and investigations, students will learn about research on the state of Europe's rivers, learn how to carry out research correctly and learn about the problem of plastic pollution in seas and oceans. One of the main activities of the "Plastic Pirates" project is research. "Assessment of the pollution of the Sventoji River" is a research activity carried out by the second grade pupils of the Verdenė Gymnasium in Visaginas and their parents.
A training film based on practical activities: the Research paper. "Assessment of the pollution of the Sventoji River" in the citizen science project "Plastic Pirates":
(369) Tiriamasis darbas. „Šventosios upės taršos vertinimas“ piliečių mokslo projekte „Plastiko piratai“ - YouTube
In summary:
- The assessment of the pollution of the Šventoji River has been carried out according to the specified methodology.
- The protocol with the collected data has been forwarded to the scientists.
- 290 metres were walked along the river and 37 pieces of litter were collected.
- The total weight of all litter (including plastic waste) was 4,153 kg.
- The total weight of all plastic waste is 1,043 kg.
- The children cooperated with their parents during the survey.
The hypothesis was confirmed:
- We were able to carry out the study and to present the data to scientists. (Some time later, we contacted the scientists and found out that microplastic particles had been found in our sample.)
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Author(s):
Zinaida Žvinkliene, Daiva Miknevičiene.
Page No : 58-68
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CHALLENGES IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ARE THE KEY TO CHILDREN’S SUCCESS IN PROBLEM SOLVING
Abstract
Every person faces problems every day. A problem is an obstacle or challenge that needs to be overcome in order to achieve a goal. For children problem solving is natural process, the world appears new and unfamiliar to them. The problem-solving process encourages children to create a team, negotiate, offer solution options, pursue goals, and celebrate achievements together. Parents and educators should encourage children's curiosity and teach them not what they already know how and what to do independently but teach them what they don't know yet. They should observe which problems they can solve on their own and which ones they need to solve with an adult.
We conducted a study of inspired and spontaneous challenges in nature, aiming to determine children's ability to understand, evaluate, interpret and apply knowledge to problem-solving. When organizing activities in the natural environment, we applied the method of spontaneous and inspired challenges. We sought to compare these methods and determine which one provides more creative freedom and long-term success for children.
The study of inspired and spontaneous challenges revealed that all challenges in the natural environment led children to successful problem-solving. However, inspired challenges lead the child's thinking and creative process to a pre-determined outcome. Dialogue with the educator is maintained from the beginning of the activity. Success is predictable.
Spontaneous challenges require more effort from children in accepting, evaluating and interpreting them. Success is not immediately predictable. All suggestions for problem-solving methods are correct, but they look for the most optimal one. Dialogue with the educator begins when a problem arises. Long-term success is in place.
An important condition for problem-solving is providing space for children's decisions, self-expression, and creativity. By valuing the child's opinion, we strengthen their self-confidence and encourage them not to be afraid to solve problems."
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Author(s):
Editorial Board.
Page No : 69-70
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END
Abstract
GAMTAMOKSLINIS UGDYMAS BENDROJO UGDYMO MOKYKLOJE – 2023
XXIX nacionalinės mokslinės-praktinės konferencijos straipsnių rinkinys, 2023 m. balandžio mėn. 28–29 d.
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NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL – 2023
Proceedings of the Twenty-ninth National Scientific-Practical Conference,
28-29 April, 2023