Inquiry-based Laboratory Activities Research Articles

Which is More Effective in Teaching Energy Transformations: Technology-Based or Inquiry-Based Science Teaching?

This research aimed to compare the short and long-term effects of technology-supported and inquiry-based teaching prepared within the scope of energy transformation on students’ academic achievement. It was designed as an exploratory action research case study. The research group consisted of forty-three students studying at the seventh grade (between thirteen-fourteen ages) of a public middle school in Turkey during the fall semester of the 2017 year. One of the classes with a similar academic background in the school where the researcher also worked as a science teacher was assigned as the experimental group and the other as the control group. The activities in the experimental group were carried out in a technology-supported manner using PhET simulations supported by also worksheets, while the control group was taught based on inquiry-based hands-on laboratory activities by worksheets. The data were collected through an achievement test consisting of open-ended questions and scoring with a rubric. The test was implemented twice, after the interventions, and in the following sixth month for both groups. Normally distributed data were compared with interdependent and paired-samples t-tests. The results showed that although the achievement scores for the technology-supported teaching group were significantly higher in the post test, no difference between the scores at the end of the sixth months, and significant information losses were experienced in both groups, with the most technology-supported science teaching.

Bridging the Gap: Computer Simulations and Video Recordings for Remote Inquiry-Based Laboratory Activities in Mechanics

Based on the pedagogical principle of cognitive conflict, Inquiry-Based Laboratory Activities (IBLAs) have been shown to improve conceptual understanding of challenging science and engineering topics. Yet, providing students physical apparatuses to complete an IBLA is not tenable in every instructional setting. This paper reports design, development, and implementation of two Remote IBLAs in mechanics – […]

Using a Self-Determination Theory Approach to Understand Student Perceptions of Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-based laboratory activities, as a part of science curricula, have been advocated to increase students’ learning outcomes and improve students’ learning experiences, but students sometimes struggle with open-inquiry activities. This study aims to investigate students’ perceptions of inquiry-based learning in a set of laboratory activities, specifically from a psychological (i.e., Self-Determination Theory) perspective. Students’ ratings of the level of inquiry in these activities indicate that students’ perceptions of inquiry align with the instructor-intended amount of inquiry in each exercise. Students’ written responses, explaining their ratings, indicate that students’ perceptions of the amount of inquiry in a given lab exercise relate to their feeling of freedom (or autonomy), competence, and relatedness (or support), during the inquiry-based learning activities. The results imply that instructors implementing inquiry-based learning activities should consider student motivation, and Self-Determination Theory can be a useful diagnostic tool during teaching development.

Benefits of Using the Invertebrate Model Organism C. Elegans in an Inquiry-Based Laboratory Activity

Background: The goals of laboratory experiences include developing knowledge base, research skills, and scientific communication abilities. Objective: The aim was to assess an inquiry-based laboratory activity using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans in relation to learning goals. Method: Students in a Biopsychology laboratory course worked in groups to test the effect of various drugs (e.g., nicotine, ethanol, fluoxetine, and melatonin) on C. elegans behavior. The activity included literature review, experimental design, and a final lab report. A cumulative final exam included a synaptic communication question related to the content of the activity. Results: Students showed better retention of laboratory-related content compared to other topics from the course, as demonstrated through performance on the final exam and were able to replicate previous research demonstrating effects of drug on locomotion. However, students did not improve writing ability compared to performance on a previous American Psychological Association style lab report. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that using a student-designed, multi-week laboratory assignment in an undergraduate Biopsychology course supports the growth of psychology knowledge and the development of research skills. Teaching Implications: Instructors should consider using the described laboratory activity for biopsychology or behavioral neuroscience classes or consider similarly designed laboratory formats for other courses in Psychology.

Plant-Derived Drug Discovery in an Introductory Biology Laboratory Course

Hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory activities are excellent opportunities to introduce first-year undergraduate students to the lab environment and to catalyze new interest in topics they may not yet know or be as enthusiastic about studying. We describe a multisession introductory laboratory activity that couples the research areas of medicinal drug discovery and plant biology. Selecting from a diversity of native California plants and broadly recognized medicinal plants, students learn and apply an assortment of basic phytochemical assays, analyze preliminary data, and then formulate hypothesis-driven follow-up experiments. Working in small groups, students develop shared project management and collaboration skills, and present activity results to peers in multiple modalities. Furthermore, we summarize findings from 163 student experiments using 29 plant species into an Instructor’s Resource Table to facilitate guiding students through their preliminary and follow-up experiments. Lastly, we include student responses from pre- and post-activity surveys on their changing attitudes toward plant biology.

Pre-service teachers' acquisition of scientific knowledge and scientific skills through inquiry-based laboratory activity

PurposeScientific inquiry is a leading methodology that promotes science process skills to acquire scientific knowledge. There is evidence that primary school teachers have difficulties introducing inquiry-based activities in their classrooms. Hence, adequate teacher instruction in inquiry methodology is important to apply inquiry-based activities in school science lessons. This work aims to analyse if pre-service teachers succeeded in developing scientific knowledge and scientific skills through the application of an inquiry laboratory activity.Design/methodology/approachThis article is presented as a case study developed in a group of 82 pre-service teachers. This research methodology involved qualitative and quantitative data.FindingsThe results demonstrate that pre-service teachers could improve their scientific skills and knowledge through inquiry-based laboratory activity.Originality/valueThe present study assesses not only the scientific knowledge but also if students can acquire scientific skills by doing the inquiry laboratory activity and if these skills are related to low-order cognitive skills or high-order cognitive skills.

Can Video Experiments be as Effective as Hands-on Experiments for Conceptual Learning?

In 2019 and 2020, third-year chemical engineering majors completed a concept inventory at the beginning and end of the semester in their thermodynamics course. Midway through spring semester of 2020, the course switched to emergency remote instruction, replacing hands-on inquiry-based laboratory activities (IBLAs) with short videos. Analysis of learning gains on the concept inventory demonstrated that while both groups made significant gains in their learning, the 2019 cohort showed larger gains than the 2020 cohort.

Investigating the Mechanism of Alkyne Hydrogenation through an Open-Ended, Inquiry-Based Undergraduate Research Project Exploring Heterogeneous Catalysis

The catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes is an important part of the undergraduate chemistry curriculum and is a fundamental process in chemical industry. Inquiry-based laboratory activities are presented that investigate the hydrogenation of alkynes on a nanoparticle palladium surface to form alkenes, which go on to form alkanes. Alkyne hydrogenation using H2 and/or D2 proceeds via a vinyl–palladium intermediate to form a π-bonded alkene–Pd species that can desorb or remain on the palladium surface and undergo further hydrogenation via the Horiuti–Polanyi mechanism, associated with extensive deuterium–hydrogen exchange. Central to the experiments is an inexpensive, easy-to-build glass tube containing palladium nanoparticles on alumina beads that can be used indefinitely. A total of seven inquiry-based questions are discussed regarding hydrogenation of alkynes. A similar number of open questions are discussed for further investigations by interested persons. These activities are suitable as guided research projects for science majors. Each experiment is performed by groups of two or three students in about an hour including analysis by mass spectrometry. An additional hour is allowed for student analysis and discussion of the mass spectral results, writeup, and future planning followed by about 30 min with the mentor for group presentation and discussion of the results. Results often lead to additional questions, either for clarification or for new exploration and form the basis for inquiry-based learning and problem-solving.

EFFECTS OF INQUIRY-BASED TEACHING ON CHINESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ EPISTEMOLOGIES ABOUT EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS AND LEARNING PERFORMANCE

Students' epistemologies of experimental physics refer to how they understand the role of experimentation as well as the experimental operation and design and communication of results in physics. This research aimed to find whether students in inquiry-based physics laboratory activities show more expert-like epistemologies of experimental physics and better course performance relative to courses using cookbook guided laboratory activities. The participants consisted of two classes of students in a Chinese university. They were divided into control group and experimental group. The experimental group was taught with inquiry-based teaching, while the control group was using cookbook teaching. Each group was taught by the same lecturer. Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey for Experimental Physics were used to investigate students’ epistemologies about the nature of experimental physics. It was found that students in a traditional cookbook guided laboratory showed significant negative shifts on personal epistemologies, and in contrast, students’ epistemologies of experimental physics in inquiry-based laboratory had been significantly improved. The increase of scores in the control group was higher than the experiment group on experimental physics learning performance. The results were slightly different from other studies, some possible explanations were given. Keywords: epistemologies of experimental physics, inquiry-based teaching, physics education

Lipase-Catalyzed Esterification: An Inquiry-Based Laboratory Activity To Promote High School Students’ Understanding and Positive Perceptions of Green Chemistry

An inquiry-based laboratory learning unit was designed to enhance high school students’ understanding of the application of lipase as a catalyst to synthesize isoamyl and geranyl ester derivatives as well as to promote their understanding and positive perceptions of green chemistry. The learning unit consisted of three laboratories and a final presentation. The first laboratory activity allowed students to learn how to adjust macroscale titration techniques to microscale titration techniques so that the method could be used for quantitative determination of ester products in the next two laboratory activities. The second laboratory activity introduced students to a greener way to synthesize ester compounds by replacing a harmful strong acid catalyst with a more environmentally friendly catalyst, an enzyme lipase. The third laboratory activity challenged students to design their own experiments to synthesize other esters using lipase-catalyzed esterification reactions. At the end of the learning unit, students in each group presented the results and conclusions of the third laboratory activity to the whole class and explained how the 12 principles of green chemistry were applied in the laboratory. The results from the Learning Unit Conceptual Test and Learning Unit Perceptions Questionnaire indicate that the learning units can promote students conceptual understanding. They also have positive perceptions toward green chemistry and learning units.

Using Inquiry-Based Laboratory to improve students’ Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs)

Higher order thinking skills (HOTs) is 21st century learning trend. This study to determine the effect of inquiry-based laboratory on the Students’ HOTs in learning harmonic vibration. The method used descriptive quantitative true-experiment. Sampling technique using randomized control group pre-test and post-test design. The sample was 69 students, consisting of two experimental groups (n = 46 students) and one control group (n = 23 students). The experimental group is taught by inquiry-based laboratory activities, while the control group is taught by not inquiry-based laboratory activities. The result of this research shows that the experimental groups got gain score are 0.57 and 0.54, while the control group got gain score is 0.13 and both groups proved to have statistically significant different improvement. It means experimental groups have ability to Analyse, evaluation and create.

THE EFFECT OF INQUIRY BASED CHEMISTRY LABORATORY ON CRITICAL THINKING

Although lab study is accepted as a fundamental and helpful part of science education, many studies have shown that lab education has not properly reached its objective. The primary reliance on verification-type lab activities may be one reason why lab education has failed to provide expected learning outcomes. Many believe that lab education should move away from traditional verification-type applications toward helping students to embrace the importance of experimentation in learning and to understand the role of self-management in the learning process. This study aimed to determine the effect of a scientific-inquiry-based learning method on prospective chemistry teachers’ critical thinking. A pretest–posttest design was used with 27 prospective chemistry teachers’ enrolled in the Department of Chemistry Education at Hacettepe University, who were divided into two groups. In analyzing the data, nonparametric tests were used since sampling numbers were below the recommended values. The experimental group participated in an inquiry-based chemistry laboratory activity, whereas the control group experienced a traditional verification laboratory approach. The results indicated that inquiry-based learning is effective in promoting critical thinking.

Designing laboratory activities in elementary school oriented to scientific approach for teachers SD-Kreatif Bojonegoro

Important science lessons are introduced to elementary school students through inquiry. This training is important to do because one key determinant of succesful laboratory activities is teachers. This course aims to enable teachers to design an inquiry-based Laboratory Activity and be able to apply it in the classroom. The training was conducted at SD-Kreatif Bojonegoro by Modeling, Design Laboratory activities and Implementing. The results of Laboratory Activities designed to trace the seven aspects that can support the development of inquiry skills in either category. The teacher's response in this activity is positive. The conclusion of this training can improve the ability of teachers in designing and implementing laboratory activities of Science and then expected to positively affect the frequency of science laboratory activities. Usually teachers use learning by using this Laboratory Activity, it will be affected on the pattern of inquiry behavior to the students as well so that will achieve the expected goals. Teachers are expected to continue for other topics, even for other similarly characterized subjects. This habitation is important so that the teacher's skill in making Laboratory Activity continues to be well honed and useful for the students.

Student-Designed High-Throughput Assays to Assess Effects of Growth Insults in Budding Yeast.

Modern high-throughput screening is a versatile method used widely in academic and industrial labs for genetic and pharmacological testing, but is underutilized in undergraduate laboratories. We designed an open inquiry-based laboratory activity exploiting a small-scale high-throughput screening assay of the budding yeast S. cerevisiae to promote active learning and introduce students to modern data collection and analysis techniques. In this activity, students at both the high school and university levels generate growth curves of S. cerevisiae using a microplate reader after treatment with their insult of choice. This lab presents an ideal opportunity for both high school and university students to actively learn about the process of science as well as high-throughput data collection and analysis in a cost-effective manner.

Using Inquiry-based Laboratory Activities in Lights and Optics Topic to Improve Students’ Understanding about Nature of Science (NOS)

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of inquiry-based laboratory activities on the students’ understanding of the nature of science (NOS) in learning lights and optics topic. The method used in this research is quasi experiment. Sampling technique using cluster random sampling and the samples were taken from grade 8 in one of junior high school in Bandung. The sample was 45 students, consisting of the experimental class (n = 24 students) and the control class (n=21 students). The experimental class is taught by inquiry-based laboratory activities, while the control class is taught by non-inquiry laboratory activities. The result of this research shows that the experimental class got N-Gain of 0.60, while the control class got N-Gain of 0.44, and both classes proven to have statistically significant different improvement.

Exploring Caenorhabditis elegans Behavior: An Inquiry-Based Laboratory Module for Middle or High School Students

The use of primary scientific inquiry and experimentation to develop students’ understanding of methodologies used by scientists and the nature of science is a key component of the Next-Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Introduction to inquiry-based experimentation also has been shown to improve students’ attitudes and interest in science. However, implementing scientific inquiry activities that include experimental design and data analysis in a classroom of middle or high school students can be daunting for teachers with limited experimental experience. Here, we present a four- to five-day, inquiry-based laboratory activity designed to teach students about the scientific process and excite them about scientific discovery while providing opportunities for interactions of both teachers and students with scientists in the field. Within this laboratory module, students make observations and develop their own research questions, then design, execute, analyze, and present the results of their hypothesis-driven experiments investigating the behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans, a relatively inexpensive and tractable model organism. Our experience running this module in a middle school biology classroom suggests students enjoyed the opportunity to investigate their own research questions, and post-course surveys indicated that students’ fear of biology decreased and their interest in biology-related careers increased following participation in the module.

Using Inquiry-based Laboratory Activities in Lights and Optics Topic to Improve Students’ Conceptual Understanding

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of inquiry based laboratory activity by comparing the inquiry and non-inquiry laboratory activity in terms of students’ conceptual understanding among junior high school students in the topic of lights and optics. It also investigated the effectiveness of this method to male and female students. The method used in this research was quasi experiment which used two classes, where one class was randomly taken as the experimental class and the other one as the control class. Each class consists of 20 students. The result of this research shows that the average gain of the experimental class was 0.70, while the control one got 0.56. Means that the conceptual understanding of experimental class is statistically different with the control one. It is concluded that the inquiry based laboratory activity give better effect in improving students’ conceptual understanding and inquiry-based laboratory activities were found to have the same effectiveness for male and female students.

Inquiry-based Laboratory Activities on Drugs Analysis for High School Chemistry Learning

Laboratory activity is an important part of chemistry learning, but cookbook instructions is still commonly used. However, the activity with that way do not improve students thinking skill, especially students creativity. This study aims to improve high school students creativity through inquiry-based laboratory on drugs analysis activity. Acid-base titration is used to be method for drugs analysis involving a color changing indicator. The following tools were used to assess the activity achievement: creative thinking test on acid base titration, creative attitude and action observation sheets, questionnaire of inquiry-based lab activities, and interviews. The results showed that the inquiry-based laboratory activity improving students creative thinking, creative attitude and creative action. The students reacted positively to this teaching strategy as demonstrated by results from questionnaire responses and interviews. This result is expected to help teachers to overcome the shortcomings in other laboratory learning.

PENERAPAN GENERATED LESSON DALAM KEGIATAN LABORATORIUM BERBASIS INKUIRI UNTUK MENGUKUR KEMAMPUAN MERANCANG PERCOBAAN PADA MATERI RESPIRASI

The aim of this study is to measure the ability of the experimental design students PGMIPAU in the practicum General Biology.The title practicum General Biology is respiration with the implementation of inquiry based laboratory activities are generated lesson.The method used in this study was a pretest - posttest control group design. The sample in this study is a first semester student PGMIPAU the 2013/2014 school year in the practicum General Biology. The instruments used is guidance practicum, worksheet, and inquiry test by multiple choice. The results show the ability of the experimental design students PGMIPAU in the practicum General Biology with inquiry -based laboratory activities are generated lesson in the very good category is determine the type of problem have average 96%. Beside that, the ability determining purpose of the experiment in the good category with average percentage 85%. Key word: inquiry based laboratory, respiration.

Investigating pre-service science teachers’ laboratory approach choices

The main focus of the current study was to determine what kind of laboratory approaches will be designed how this process will be evaluated by pre-service teachers. The study was carried out on the basis of a qualitative paradigm. The study group of the research consisted of 40 pre-service science teachers. In the current study, the application was conducted within the Laboratory Applications in Science I-II courses at two stages. The per stage was conducted in 14 weeks (four hours per weeks). The first stage of the process (14 weeks) started with a theoretical presentation introducing laboratory approaches and was conducted with the guidance of five experiment manuals designed on the basis of different laboratory approaches ranging from a confirmatory laboratory approach to an inquiry-based learning by the researcher. In the second stage, the pre-service teachers were asked to examine the units and objectives of the Science Curriculum Program and then were asked to select a laboratory approach and set the objectives to design an activity manual. The pre-service teachers worked for five weeks to determine the objectives, find the appropriate approach and design an experiment manual in line with the selected approach. Then, each group conducted the laboratory class under the guidance of their experiment manual that they had developed for each week. The data of the study was collected within two periods through the difficulties experienced, skills attained through the process, reflective texts presenting course-related suggestions and semi-structured interviews. It was determined that the students experienced some difficulties in the selection of the laboratory approach for the given topic and the design of experiment manuals; they preferred inquiry-based learning laboratory activities as they were believed to be more effective and administration of experiment manuals to peers were believed to be conducive to professional development.Keywords:Laboratory applications in science, laboratory approaches, pre-service science teachers