Influence of Age on Students’ Alternative Conceptions of Scientific Phenomena

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the influence of age on students’ alternative conceptions of scientific phenomena. The study employed an ex-post-facto design and was conducted in some sampled schools in Aguata education zone of Anambra State. The sample for this study comprised of five hundred and twenty two SS I students. The study was carried out in 8 secondary schools (4 boys and 4 girls). The schools were drawn through a stratified random sampling. In each school, intact class of SS I was used. Two research question and one hypothesis guided the study. An instrument known as Alternative Conception of Scientific Phenomena Test (ACSPT) was developed by the researcher and used for data collection. The research questions were answered using frequencies and percentages while the hypothesis was tested using cross tabulation with chi-square test of independence as the test statistic. It was revealed that age is not a significant factor in student’s conception of motion. The reasons for the students’ alternative conception of motion were centered on culture and practices prevailing in the environment. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommendation that alternative scientific conceptions based science instruction should be adopted in our school system; Ministry of Education and Professional Organizations like STAN should organize workshops, seminars and conferences for Physics teachers on the use of the scientific alternative conception based package and the use of conventional instructional approach should be de-emphasized in our school system since it encourages rote-learning. Physics teachers should employ the principles of the alternative conception of science to enhance knowledge acquisition among students. Keywords : Influence of age, Alternative conceptions, Scientific phenomena DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-9-22 Publication date :March 31 st 2019