Elementary Students' Perception Analysis on Fossil

초등학생들의 화석에 대한 인식 조사

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception on fossil in elementary science 'Earth and Space' domain for elementary school students. For this purpose, the fossil perception inventory was developed. And the fossil perception was examined for random sampling of 5th and 6th grade 635 students. As a result, students chosen incorrect answer of the average 30.8% for questions of fossil perception. Over the average rate of incorrect answers in 20 questions were 8 questions(3 in the definitions for fossil, 2 in the creation of fossil, 2 in the fossil, sedimentary, stratum, 1 in the understanding for fossil). When the results were analyzed by residence and grade, there were significant differences in 7 questions between students in urban and rural areas, and between 5th and 6th students, there were important contrasts in 4 questions. The data that understanding of elementary students fossil can be provided for form the basis planning the teaching method to correct student's scientific concepts in elementary school. The results are also contributed to find an effective way for modify misconceptions of fossils to the scientific concepts.