Gender Characteristics in Elementary Science Problem Solving Process

초등 과학 문제 풀이 과정에서의 성별 특성

This study was initiated to investigate sixth graders' gender characteristics in science problem solving process and thus find out the proper learning and teaching strategies for each gender. A total of 14 students, each of seven male and female students, were selected through three tests, including items of science knowledge, science inquiry, and creativity. Students were required to solve 26 items and to think aloud for researchers help understand how they thought in their problem solving process. Males and females showed some similarity and difference in four steps of problem solving process, understanding, planning, solving, and reviewing. We found gender differences in self-confidence of their answer. This study is expected to help develop teachers' differential teaching strategy for male and female students' science problem solving.