This article describes a program that was developed to introduce senior high school students in Melbourne, Australia to the technique of X-ray crystallography within the context of chemistry research. Students had an opportunity for original experimentation, performing reactions and attempting to grow crystals of reaction products in a school…

Science knowledge is deeply intertwined with Microorganisms, which play essential roles in healthcare, food production and environmental management, making their study crucial for understanding impacts on food safety, spoilage and disease prevention. This research introduces hands-on activities designed for high school students (aged 14-15) to…

Many high school students learn about nutrient cycling during biology, environmental science, and agriculture classes. These lessons often focus on soil and plants, and nutrient cycling is usually taught independently from climate change. Scientists know that animals, including fish, can have strong effects on nutrient cycling (i.e., nitrogen and…

This study aims to assess the effect of experiential learning coupled with thinking-based learning (TBL) pedagogy in developing higher-order thinking skills. We utilized OLabs, a virtual lab, as a mode of experiential electronic-learning for the topic "chemical reactions." Online experimental activities, embedded with thinking-based…

Having a deeper understanding of molecules in their structural forms allows students to grasp biochemical and general chemical concepts in a more profound manner. Through the use of visualization software, we have shown that students gain confidence and insight into the chemical workings of molecular structure and can then utilize this knowledge…

This paper examines the findings obtained in a chemistry laboratory course provided through online hands-on activities during the pandemic. Case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The data collection period was 8 weeks. The study was carried out with 16 third-year pre-service science teachers within the scope of a…

The teaching of laboratory skills to undergraduate students is central to all experimental sciences. In this setting, students must understand the experimental procedures as well as the fundamental principle(s) being demonstrated, all while learning within a limited time. Other limiting factors include access to equipment and reagents, resulting…

Effective elementary science education is fundamentally dependent on teachers' science content knowledge and self-efficacy in teaching science, areas that have been central to science education reform initiatives. This study examines the development and implementation of a physical science content course curriculum incorporating both hands-on…

One of the main courses that have been affected by instructional technology is science education since the nature of topics covered by the science curriculum may require the usage of technology to teach them better. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of virtual laboratories on the development of gifted children's…

Integrating authentic research practices into introductory laboratory courses to prepare tomorrow's scientists has become increasingly prevalent over the past decade. However, an incomplete understanding of the nature of science (NOS) and authentic scientific inquiry (SI) precludes higher-level learning in undergraduate research experiences. In…

Traditionally, laboratory practice aims to establish schemas learned by students in theoretical courses through concrete experiences. However, access to laboratories might not always be available to students. Therefore, it is advantageous to diversify the tools that students could use to train practical skills. This technology report describes the…

The learning of laboratory skills is essential in science education, but students often get too little individual guidance in this area. Augmented reality (AR) technologies are a promising tool to tackle this challenge and promote students' high-level learning and performance in science laboratories. Thus, the purpose of this study was (1) to…

Affective and cognitive outcomes of science teaching in schools may be enhanced by science outreach labs (SOLs). Particularly interesting is whether and how to connect SOL visits to in-school science learning. Recent studies--among others, in this journal--have confirmed SOLs' positive affective effects. However, research remains inconclusive…

The primary objective of the current project was to convey authentic science to students in out-of-school student laboratories. High school students have diverse and partially wrong concepts of scientists' work. To convey more realistic concepts, we developed videos of scientists working on relevant and up to date scientific topics. These videos,…

The recent COVID-19 pandemic required schools around the country to shut their doors to student and teacher learning, impacting both formal and informal education. STEM outreach programs scrambled to revise their programming to reach the "new normal" needs of teachers and students. STEM Outreach directors from Vanderbilt University and…