Science Club Research Articles

Teachers’ views on the potential of school science clubs for enhancing their learning

ABSTRACT Background The teaching staff learns as a result of their daily teaching practice, and yet there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of extracurricular activities within the school, such as science clubs, on the professional growth of science teachers. Purpose This study is proposed to deepen the understanding of how teachers perceive science clubs, what learning they obtain from them, and what factors contribute to promoting this learning. Sample Five experienced science teachers involved in coordinating school science clubs participated in the study. They were all experienced science teachers with some experience in running a science club. Design and methods The study may most accurately be described as a descriptive-qualitative study with a comprehensive scope. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews. The collected information was analysed from a descriptive and interpretative perspective using techniques specific to content analysis. Results The results show that teachers value science clubs as an opportunity to enhance both their content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge, a space to reconsider what it means to be a science teacher, to get to know and connect more with their students, and to collaborate with other colleagues. Conclusion It is concluded that the study provides evidence that the learning acquired in science club activities complements and expands the interviewed teachers' expertise and contributes to their professional development in all three dimensions: personal, social, and professional.

The philosopher versus the physicist: Eddington’s rejoinder to Stebbing

ABSTRACT A number of recent papers or monographs have examined Susan Stebbing's criticisms of Arthur Eddington's scientific-philosophical writing. These papers focus on Stebbing's critique of Eddington's attempt to infer philosophical conclusions from developments in modern physics, his view that there is a discrepancy between the world of science and the world of common sense (best encapsulated by his famous ‘two tables’ metaphor), and his use of ‘inexact language’ to try and convey modern scientific insights to his readers. On November 10th 1938, Eddington presented a paper at the Moral Sciences Club in Cambridge entitled “Prof. Stebbing's ‘Philosophy and the Physicists'”. Eddington did not go on to publish this paper and it is not discussed in relevant scholarship. However, the details of Eddington’s talk are outlined in the minutes of that meeting. I argue that these minutes provide new insights into both the Stebbing-Eddington debate and developments in Eddington's late philosophical views. A full transcription of the minutes is included as an Appendix to this paper.

Exploring the Associations of Afterschool Science Participation and Friendships with Science Identities.

Building on previous research that demonstrates the association of youth experiences in afterschool science and higher science identities, this paper presents a network study of 421 middle school students that examines afterschool science participation, friendship ties, and science identities. Participation in afterschool science clubs is associated with higher science identity, but the mechanisms and order of causality are unclear. Youth form friendships inside and outside of school, and peers may influence participation in afterschool activities, as empirical research on friendships shows that they are associated with youth interests. These peer interactions also have the potential to shape identity development during adolescence. In this study, we explore associations among youth participation in afterschool science clubs, peer friendship groups, and science identity. We find that youth who participate in afterschool science clubs have higher science identities than those who do not participate. Additionally, having friends in afterschool science clubs is associated with higher science identity, even among students who report not participating in clubs themselves. Results suggest that afterschool science clubs support youth science identities, even beyond those who directly participate.

From theory to action: The collective adventure of science recreation clubs

Science recreation, as a means of science outreach, has gained a lot of momentum over the last decades. Its greatest strength arises from the interactive essence that fosters rewarding experiences for the participants. However, this modality has lacked formal analysis to establish its fundamental characteristics and opportunities for advancement. The present work integrates the experience of more than 30 years in the development of science recreation activities with important analytical contributions, of the last years, to build a cutting-edge perspective of the field. To go further, it is articulated with the importance of the systematic work of clubs that achieve a deeper impact on the public. All this is rounded off addressing the case of the Children's Science Club, in Zacatecas, Mexico, to share learning and results of three decades of experience.

Understanding Science Teachers’ Integration of Active Methodologies in Club Settings: An Exploratory Study

This study analyses if school science clubs may serve as a resource to facilitate the introduction of active methodologies into science classrooms. Focusing on science clubs in Portuguese schools, this study aims to determine whether the teachers who coordinate and direct these clubs promote activities that incorporate aspects of problem-based learning and project-based learning methodologies. In order to do so, a series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 teachers, and their responses were analysed using content analysis strategies. The results show that although they do not explicitly refer to the use of these methodologies, teachers do propose the implementation of projects within clubs, and they incorporate aspects of these strategies in the activities they conduct. In this sense, teachers appreciate the role of clubs in promoting these types of strategies (PBL y PjBL) and the facilities they offer for their implementation. Additionally, teachers believe that one can only learn how to do projects through practise, i.e., doing projects with their students, and they think that clubs offer an opportunity to develop PBL and PjBL methodologies in a context free from the responsibilities and constraints of the classroom.

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN THE STRENGTH OF THE SPACE FRAME OF THE FORMULA STUDENT VEHICLE

The study presents the design process and analysis of the spatial structure of the Formula Student vehicle. An important issue is such a concept of the vehicle frame that it is possible to design an optimal version of the front and rear axle suspension. Therefore, an important element of the design is the correct geometry of the frame around the mounting points of the front and rear suspension, and it will allow the use of electric vehicle drive. The analysis of the current frame structure has been compared to the previous structures created in the Silesia Automotive Student Science Club. Particular attention was paid to the weight of the element and its strength properties, and these parameters received the most attention.

ACTIVATION OF SCIENTIFIC CIRCLES IN THE NEW UKRAINIAN SCHOOL

In the article, the author presents a set of pedagogical conditions for the activation of scientific circles in a new Ukrainian school as a holistic process that involves the implementation of a set of pedagogical conditions: the development of an innovative model of the organization of a scientific circle; a comprehensive approach in the application of forms of student involvement in search and research work; involvement of librarians in the conduct of scientific circle classes; application of innovative and developmental technologies, which are focused on the formation of students' ability for scientific and research work; digitalization of the work of the scientific circle. The science club at the school will be interpreted as an association of purposeful students (mostly high school students), which creates a creative and developmental scientific environment by initiating and implementing successful projects aimed at supporting the latest scientific ideas, innovations and knowledge exchange. It was found out that the pedagogical result of the exchange of scientific activities of the circle participants is the transformations that occur in the student's personality under the influence of the scientific research activity performed by him, that is, the share of independence of the student's personality, which is formed in the plane of this form of work, increases.

Stories about gender inequalities and influence factors: a science club case study

ABSTRACT This article explores the perception of gender inequality in science and the influencing factors. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with students belonging to a science club; we present it as a case study. This research sheds light on what high school and university students studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) perceive in Mexico, where the gender gap is the highest of all scientific disciplines, considering the relationship between science and gender through their study experiences and perspectives. The findings mainly revealed two positions: (1) denial of gender inequalities; and (2) recognition of gender inequalities associated with biological, psychological, and social factors. It is precisely this last factor that is based on a feminist position. How students define and label inequalities varies according to their participation in previous formative experiences linked to gender and contextual influences. Science education activities with a gender perspective are necessary in non-formal education spaces such as science clubs. In this sense, this work offers recommendations that can stimulate the design of training actions for a better-balanced integration of science and gender.

Discursive Textual Analysis & Iramuteq: Potentials of the Blended Process

Background: For years, scholars have been studying possibilities for science teaching. Science Clubs became an alternative since they are spaces around collective interests. Objectives: How is the discursive textual analysis method configured in a blended process, given its three analytical stages, supported by the IRaMuTeQ software? The objective was to present, in full, the discursive textual analysis method, supported by the IRaMuTeQ software, to understand the blended procedure that includes the analytical stages. Design: The research approach is qualitative. The global corpus is based on four dialogues about the universe of Science Clubs. Setting and participants: The participants are two researchers with extensive experience. The information analysed is four dialogues about Science Clubs. Data collection and analysis: There were five meetings lasting approximately 120 minutes each. The analysis method adopted is the discursive textual analysis, supported by the IRaMuTeQ software. In the software, the baseline analysis was descending hierarchical classification. Results: The emergence of five intermediate categories was identified, and it is possible to observe, as the main result, from the subcorpus analyses, the recognition of the composition of each intermediate category by other five to seven initial categories. Conclusions: The subcorpus analysis procedure is vital for understanding the constructions of each emerging intermediate category, configuring itself as an advanced level of understanding of categorisation. Thus, we concluded that the discursive textual analysis, with software support, is a blended analysis process.

Immersed from Day One - How the Science Club revolutionized UITM Sustainability Education

In 2021, Forbes argued that Gen Z is emerging as the “generation of sustainable development.” Research conducted in 2018 by the National Union of Students, United Kingdom, also shows that as many as 81% of students are interested in the idea of Sustainable Development. Inspired by these, the Financial Science Club FLOW conducted research in the 2020/2021 academic year, to analyse the level of awareness of sustainable development among students (n=514). Although 70% of students declared that they had encountered the concept of Sustainable Development before, the study’s results were not optimistic because not all have basic knowledge of this subject. However, 83% of students considered that individual actions are important as they influence the shaping of the market and the progress of sustainable development. Based on these results and students’ convictions, there is great potential to create and implement innovative and flexible solutions that change universities into green and sustainable organizations. UITM has developed a comprehensive program to include students in activities about sustainable development from the first day of their student life.

Investigating the Impact of Online Learning Clubs on Student Motivation and Self-Efficacy in Science: An Experimental Study

Introduction. Russian studentsʼ natural science literacy lags behind that of their counterparts in other countries, largely due to a lack of interest in the subject area and low self-confidence. Digital technologies offer new opportunities for basic and additional education that can help address these challenges and increase student engagement in the natural sciences. However, not all digital learning formats have been thoroughly examined in terms of their impact on studentsʼ engagement and learning outcomes. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of additional online science clubs in enhancing motivation and self-efficacy among schoolchildren in this subject area. Materials and Methods. To investigate the issue, we conducted an experiment involving 1 023 students in grades 7–9 from the Khangalassky ulus of the Republic of Sakha. The experimental group consisted of students randomly selected to participate in online science club on the GlobalLab platform, while the control group continued with regular studies. Using structural equation modelling and instrumental variable methods, we have analyzed data on changes in the level of motivation and self-efficacy of both groups, while also controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and overall curiosity levels of the students. Results. The findings indicate that online clubs have the potential to increase motivation and self-efficacy in natural science subjects, but their widespread use requires further investigation. The comparison of results between the control and experimental groups revealed a slight improvement in both general and subject motivation, as well as subject self-efficacy for students in the experimental group. The instrumental variable approach proved a more significant impact of online club participation on motivation and self-efficacy but only in the specific subject in which the child was engaged. At the same time, the study revealed a rather low interest among students to participate in online science club as extracurricular activity. Discussion and Conclusion. The findings of the study support the notion that online clubs are effective in enhancing studentsʼ motivation and self-efficacy in natural sciences. However, the research also identified certain limitations in the use of additional education outside of school. For instance, students may lack a clear understanding of their participation goals, which can affect their interest in engaging in such activities. Thus, the results of the study provide a basis for evaluating the potential of online formats in additional education and for making recommendations for their optimal use.

THE FORMATION OF MEDICAL STUDENTS’ RESEARCH SKILLS IN TEACHING PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH

The mastery of research methods, the ability to understand effectively English medical terminology, to quickly process and analyze new information, use it productively for optimal treatment of patients provide increased competitiveness of family physicians. The article focuses on the diagnostics of the future family doctors’ research skills using testing methods and expert assessment of the level (high, medium, low). Among the main research skills of medical students, we have identified such as formation of purpose, hypothesis, choice of effective methods; analysis of sources, systematization of scientific information; organization of the experiment; conversations with scientists; argumentation; generalization of the results; presenting the new research results; analysis of positive and negative experience; characteristics of the individual difficulties in organizing the experiment. The assessment followed by the formation of these skills was organized on the basis of Cherkasy Medical Academy and Odessa National Medical University. In addition, a system of tasks for the formation of students’ research skills in teaching professional medical terminology in English is presented. The future family physicians were involved in different kinds learning activities that were aimed at expanding their knowledge of medical terminology and mastering research skills in the educational component “English for Professional Purposes”, and involved working in the student research laboratory and student science club.

Learning to Enhance Community-Responsiveness in an Out-of-School Club Program

This article describes a methodology and method that can be adopted by informal education leaders who are interested in establishing or developing a community-responsive focus for out-of-school club programming. Based on an adaptation of Dewey’s Laboratory School model, a university research team partnered with a community-based science club provider (the STEM Academy) to establish a model club space where ways of enhancing community-responsiveness could be explored. The overall aim was to scale up an iterative practice of research-informed adaptations into a program of over 20 clubs. The partnership was focused on a two-phase process, equipping the STEM Academy to continue an ongoing research practice in the absence of university influence. The first phase of the study involved gathering information regarding science needs, wants and preferences of a new community context. The second phase established a model club space and sought community feedback on the efficacy of the club in meeting community desires. The research approach used to establish the club and gather ongoing data is described in this article which ends by proposing a schema that can be adapted to suit other out-of-school clubs and programs.

100 years flashback

100 years flashback

Student scientific circle as a necessary component of higher medical education

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the student science club (SSC) in a medical university to prepare students for future professional activities. To achieve this aim, the task was to analyze pedagogical methods and their impact on increasing the motivation to participate in the SSC work, the emergence of interest in scientific activities, and the deepening of knowledge in outpatient internal medicine.Material and methods. A survey of 25 SSC participants was conducted. The questionnaire was developed by the curator and graduate of the SSC. Data collection was carried out using an online survey, the form of which was created on the Google Forms basis. The questionnaire contained 14 questions regarding motivation to attend meetings, the benefits of the SSC, evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of classes. University graduates working in medical institutions were asked additional questions regarding the practical application of the acquired knowledge and the impact of work in the SSC on their choice of future specialty.Results. The underlying motive for participation in the SSC work was personal scientific enrichment. Also, the majority of respondents noted the effectiveness of the club format, which includes short informative blocks and a vigorous debate. The most important aspects of the effectiveness of the SSC work have the practical significance of the acquired knowledge (average score, 10 out of 10), increased motivation to study (9,2), and improved level of theoretical training (9,1).Conclusion. Identification of the main motivation factors and effectiveness of SSC classes can be useful for chiefs in drawing up a work plan, choosing the optimal meeting format, preparing reports, and organizing scientific work. The greatest attention in the SSC of the Department of Polyclinic Therapy should be given to clinical reviews of patients with complex diagnoses and problems in the selection of therapy, work with real examination results, including ECG, the continuity of the theoretical knowledge gained with their practical application. A significant factor in the SSC success is the development of a structure for classes that increases their effectiveness, and the creation of a favorable psychic atmosphere that helps increase motivation to attend meetings and actively participate in the work.

Student science club — an important link in the structure of higher medical education

Aim. Studying the motivation of students to participate in the work of student science clubs (SSCs) and determining the most attractive modes of work for students.Material and methods. The study involved 28 postgraduate students and 129 thirdand fourth-year students of the pediatric faculty of the Pirogov National Research Medical University. A snapshot survey was conducted with subsequent analysis and statistical processing of the data obtained.Results. The results showed that 45% of the students surveyed are active SSC participants. The most interesting for students are clinical disciplines (pediatrics, therapy, surgery). The main reasons for participation in the club are the desire to expand their knowledge in the specialty, acquire practical skills, to take part in research work. In addition, 95% of the surveyed postgraduate students were active participants in the SSCs according to the profile chosen in the specialty. The most attractive modes of work are clinical examinations, joint duty with the head of the SSCs in the clinic and participation in research work.Conclusion. Active participation in SSCs provides an in-depth study of the area of interest in medicine and science, motivates students to continue research work upon graduation, admission to graduate school and develops a candidate’s pool of the teaching staff of the institution. The results revealed high demand among medical students for the experience of research work, the expansion and deepening of knowledge in the specialty, as well as the positive impact of participation in SSCs on the further formation of future clinicians.

Concepções de estudantes sobre o Clube de Ciências: aspectos relevantes para sua implantação em uma escola pública de Ibirité/MG

Science Clubs can be considered as enabling strategies for an active and significant development of teaching and learning processes and also of scientific practices. The present objective research will present conceptions of students of a public school in the Municipality of Ibirité, in Minas Gerais, about the Science Club and the stages of the scientific method. The data received by the participants came from the filled semi-structure participants. As the quali-quantitative research allowed in students to know about the Science Club and scientific research, but little about scientific research, they have a great interest in participating and understanding more of them. In this way, it becomes relevant to propose the implantation of a Club in the referred school for the development of proposals and activities that collaborate with the scientific formation of the students considering the aspects evidenced in this work.

Writing and drawing as learning tools in a Science Club

Resumo Este estudo busca identificar as aprendizagens conceituais, procedimentais e atitudinais de crianças de 5º e 6º anos do ensino fundamental I e II, a partir de seus registros gráficos (escritos e desenhos) durante a etapa Escrevendo e Desenhando, de uma Sequência de Ensino Investigativa realizada em um Clube de Ciências amazônico sobre o problema: qual a melhor água para consumir?, cujo experimento investigativo foi a montagem de um microscópio caseiro. A investigação tem abordagem qualitativa, do tipo documental, sendo 16 registros gráficos tratados pela Análise de Conteúdo, que culminou à emergência das categorias: (a) Práticas de higiene; (b) Descritividade manipulativa; e (c) Fidelidade investigativa. São explorados quatro registros representativos às categorias, nos quais tecemos algumas considerações. As inferências articularam-se à luz teórica sobre os três aspectos do conteúdo e manifestações de aprendizagens expressas nos elementos registrados. O processo identificou indicativos de aprendizagens em ações manipulativas e atitudinais articuladas a conceitos científicos.

A Case Study on Emergent Leadership and Leadership Movement Patterns in Small Group Scientific Inquiry Activities in High School Science Club

A Case Study on Emergent Leadership and Leadership Movement Patterns in Small Group Scientific Inquiry Activities in High School Science Club

C.D. Fortunescu, personalitate marcantă a vieții culturale din Oltenia

C. D. Fortunescu was born on the 28th of October 1874, in Craiova. He finished Carol I High-School from Craiova and he graduated the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy within the University of Bucharest. After graduation, he returned to Craiova, where he worked as a French teacher at Carol I High-School and the Military High-School. In 1931 he held the position of general secretary within the Ministry of Public Instruction. In Craiova, he founded several cultural magazines: Gazeta școalei, Lumina satelor, Năzuința. The most outstanding accomplishments of C. D. Fortunescu remain the founding of “Prietenii Științei”- Friends of Science Club and “Arhivele Olteniei” magazine