Global Science-Assessment Task 1: Teacher Resource Package:

Investigating Scientific Misconceptions



Global Science-Assessment Task 1: Teacher Resource Package:

Investigating Scientific Misconceptions

“Science is a dynamic, collaborative and creative human endeavour arising from our desire to make sense of our world through exploring the unknown”

(ACARA)

Introduction

Study of science begins with observation and understandings about different concepts. These concepts form the basis of learning and provide foundation for further exploration. If the foundation is wrong, it is not possible to follow correct directions and to have correct observations, this also affects perception and understandings of the realities. Science is the study of exploring realities and mysteries on the basis of evidences. At the early stage of learning children have various misconceptions, and they have their own views and perceptions about the world and science. This creates problems for the teachers to correct their views, and to teach them more complex scientific phenomena that are difficult for the students to follow. Therefore, it is very essential for teachers to understand their misconceptions and then explain the correct concepts based on the curriculum in most effective way to build strong foundation for further learning.

Misconception 1

Step 1: Identify the misconception - Clouds are made of Cotton.

At the foundation level Australian curriculum, ACARA includes topic about clouds under the code ACSSU004, ScOT catalogue term Weather (clouds/ vocabulary.curriculum.edu.au). Children have different misconceptions about clouds, for example they think clouds are made of cotton which is very common misconception. There are various other misconceptions about the clouds; for example, these are made of wool or smoke (portfolio.canberra.edu.au). These concepts are incorrect as clouds are made of water droplets or vapours, evaporated from water on the earth's crust, and then condensed due to low pressure. These condensed water vapours form clouds.

Step 2: State how it is a misconception and explain the correct concept….

Due to white and cotton like appearance, children think that clouds are made of cotton. This concept is incorrect because clouds are the condensed water droplets. At higher surface of earth crust there are various water droplets or vapours that are result of evaporation (children at foundation stage, also unaware of the condensation and evaporation). Another important phenomenon about the earth is that at high altitude the temperature and pressure is very low due to which the water droplets freeze and form clouds. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Millions of tons of water droplets evaporate from the oceans, rivers, lakes and from the transpiration of plants (www.bom.gov.au). Due to this low pressure at high altitude, these water droplets begin to cool and condensed. This condensation of these water droplets results in the formation of cloud.

Step 3: Suggest how this concept could be taught to ONE age group

Curriculum provides basis for the understanding of different scientific and environmental phenomenon. Course books are the primary source to assist teacher in order to deal with the difficulty of understanding any concept. Illustrations, interesting pictures, and activities in the book also assist teachers to develop basic idea for the ...