The Effect of New Experimental System Design Related to the Plasma State on Achievement of Candidate Elementary Science Teachers

S D Korkmaz,S Pat,E C Aybek

doi:10.13189/ujer.2015.031012

S D Korkmaz, S Pat + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2015.031012

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Abstract

The educational objectives related to the plasma state of matter, which comprises more than 90% of our universe, are located in the properties of substances unit in the 9th grade high school physics course curriculum. If there are physical and technical limitations while performing an experiment, the use of different techniques is recommended, such as demonstration experiments or simulations. Performing experiments related to the plasma state, which is the topic of this study, is very difficult in the classroom due to technical limitations. Thus, students cannot achieve the educational objectives related to the plasma state of matter. In addition, in Turkey, university curricula of elementary science education departments do not include lectures on plasma. The purpose of this study is to increase students' comprehension of the plasma state of matter and its properties. The newly designed experimental system and simulations are intended to answer the following questions: What is plasma? What are the general characteristics of plasma? How can plasma be created in the laboratory? For this purpose, a research group was established. The research group participants include :28 female and 4 male elementary science education teacher candidates from Eskisehir Osmangazi University. Data were collected by an achievement test which includes 10 multiple-choice and 10 essay-type questions (to determine the reasons behind students' answers) developed by the researchers. Essay questions were scored with a rubric. The achievement test was administered before and after the experiment, and mean scores were compared by an independent samples t-test. In addition, the students' answers to the essay-type questions were compared by their rubric scores. The results of the independent samples t-test indicated that the students' mean post-test score was significantly higher than their mean pre-test score. In addition, rubric scores showed that students answered multiple-choice questions based on a higher level of understanding of plasma.

Highlights

There are four matters of state in the universe: Solid, liquid, gas and plasma states
The aim of this study is to enable the candidate science teachers to better understand the plasma state of matter, which comprises the majority of the universe and is used today to manufacture and generate novel materials and power, and its properties
Pre-test and post-test score averages of the candidate science teachers were compared by considering their answers to the multiple-choice questions and their justifications for these answers

Summary

Introduction

There are four matters of state in the universe: Solid, liquid, gas and plasma states. At least one electron leaves an atom or molecule. Some atoms are in an excited-state condition and continue to remain electrically neutral, and a photon is emitted to release excess energy, making the atom basic. This medium, in which electrons, ionized atoms and molecules, and neutral atoms and molecules exist at an excited level, and photons are released, and all particles interact with each other permanently, is called “plasma.” The total charge of plasma is zero, meaning that collectively, it is a neutral state of matter [1,2]

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