مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - INVESTIGATION OF 7TH GRADE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS’ SCIENCE CURIOSITY

Abstract :

The purpose of this study is to investigate 7th grade students’ science curiosity. The current study was conducted in March 2007 in Gölbaşı district of Ankara by participation of 152 seventh grade students from three public elementary schools. As a measurement tool, “Children’s Science Curiosity Scale” which was developed by Harty and Beall (1984) was used by translating it to Turkish. The reliability coefficient of Cronbach α was found to be 0,87 for Turkish version of the instrument. The data obtained from the instrument were analyzed through mean of the scores, two-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. In general, it can be said that students are curious about science. When compared with the students from Mexico and USA, Turkish students get higher science curiosity score from the same instrument. It is found that science curiosity level of girls is higher than that of boys. Moreover, students with high academic achievement have higher science curiosity level than students with low academic achievement. Lastly, it is observed that there is a significant positive correlation between science curiosity level and academic achievement.