This study investigated pre-service elementary teachers' understanding of the planetary revolution movement of Mars and their explanatory models to show how the Sun-Earth-Mars system worked. An assessment item set using five celestial maps drawn from the Stellarium was designed to probe pre-service teachers' understanding of the prograde-retrograde motion of Mars. Among 23 participants, only four showed scientifically accurate understanding of Mars movement and drawing correct explanatory models for the planetary movement. Even the pre-service teachers who construed correctly prograde and retrograde motions of Mars showed a clockwise movement model due to their intuitive perceptions of Mars movement data from the celestial maps. Pre-service teachers with poor understanding of planetary movement also showed weak explanatory models due to their limited observation or lower spatial thinking. Although the planetary motion is not an easy topic for pre-service elementary teachers, it can be argued if the alternative approach, such as using appropriate observational data of a planet and changing the frames of reference between Earth-based view and Space-based view, is employed effectively in teaching planetary motion, pre-service teachers can reach the upper level of leaning planetary motion in terms of the planet's revolution.

This study analyzed the effects of 'online biology learning using E-learning system' on elementary school students' science-related attitudes. Samples of the study were composed of 95 sixth-grade students of N elementary school in Seoul, Korea. The learning was conducted for 11 times over a month. The main results of this study are as follows. First, for the paired t-test, a statistically significant difference between the pre and post scores of science-related attitudes was found. After conducting the online biology learning science related attitudes scores of students generally declined. "The boredom caused by simply watching online biology contents" is the decisive cause of the decline in science-related attitude scores analyzed through interviews. Second, in ANCOVA, according to 'levels of meta-cognition'. there was no statistically significant difference in scores of science-related attitudes. but, there was statistically significant difference in science-related attitudes according to 'adoption of scientific attitudes'. Students of high meta-cognition type showed a greater decline in scores than students of low meta-cognition type. Based on the results of this study, implications for research of online biology education and elementary science education are discussed.

In order to investigate the trends in science education research using AR (Augmented Reality) and derive implications for elementary science education, we analyzed 71 research articles on AR application in science education published in both Korea and abroad from 2010 to August 2020. In quantitative aspects, the number of published articles has steadily increased. For domestic researches, the number of papers targeting for elementary school students was higher than that of middle & high school students. In the research method aspects, qualitative methods were most frequently used. In particular, papers regarding the development of AR program and verification of its effectiveness were most frequently published. The researches using mixed method in domestic field were smaller in number than that of the research in abroad. There were similar trends in research targeting elementary school students. In the aspects of the contents, more researches were performed on biology and earth science areas than others. In case of researches for elementary school students, the proportion of researches on biology and earth science was even higher. Domestically the proportion of studies on the convergence of science and non-science subjects was higher than that of foreign studies. The number of researches exploring the effectiveness on 'non-scientific attitude domain', 'cognitive domain', and 'program domain' were relatively higher than that on 'inquiry & practice domain' and 'science-related attitude domain'. For types of AR contents, 'observation manipulation type' was mostly studied, followed by 'experimental activity type', and 'learning guide type'. In case of studies on elementary school students, the ratio of 'observation manipulation type' contents was higher than that of others, whereas studies on 'field problem solving type' were relatively less reported than others. In addition, studies on 'simple interaction' were most frequently reported. Particularly, there were relatively few studies on 'linear and nonlinear interactions' in domestic field. As a result of analyzing key words, we found that the key words related to the characteristics and implementation of AR frequently occurred, and the key words related to elementary education and the merits of AR had many direct connections with other key words.

The purpose of this study was to investigate pre-service elementary school teachers' understanding about alternative energy and to identify their alternative conceptions. The two-tier instrument had been developed by Cheong et al. (2015) were used for this study. Twelve items from the instrument consisted of four categories: 'source of alternative energy', 'greenhouse gas emission', 'cost in electricity and construction' and 'advantages and disadvantages'. One hundred and fifteen pre-service elementary school teachers were participated in online survey during the semester. The results analyzed using SPSS 26.0. were as follows: First, the correct response rate varied depending on the content of item. Items related to characteristics and advantages & disadvantages of alternative energy showed high percentage of correct answers. Whereas, items regarding the principles of alternative energy showed relatively low percentage of correct answers. Second, there are some items showing statistically meaningful differences according to students' high school track. Nevertheless, there are no significant differences in overall. Third, we identified twelve alternative conceptions about alternative energy from students' answer distribution. Educational implications were discussed based on the results.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of application of maker education program in school maker space on the creative problem solving ability and self-directed learning ability of elementary students. For research, we secured 18 periods of creative experience activities with 5 categories appropriate for elementary students, and integrated these activities into an elementary maker education program in school maker space. Pre and post tests were done before and after application of this maker education program to assess the changing in participants' creative problem solving ability and self-directed learning ability. The results of this study can be summarized as follows: First, the maker education program meaningfully improved the creative problem-solving abilities of elementary school students. Second, the maker education program meaningfully improved the self-directed learning abilities of elementary school students. From interview with the students, we could know that this program made the students have self-confidence and gave them favorable impression.

This study is a case study that applies plant classification learning using machine learning to fourth graders in elementary school in online learning situations. In this study, a plant classification learning education program associated with 2015 revision science curriculum was developed by applying the Artificial Intelligence biological classification teaching Learning model. The study participants were 31 fourth graders who agreed to participate voluntarily. Plant classification learning using machine learning was applied six hours for three weeks. The results of this study are as follows. First, as a result of image analysis on artificial intelligence, participants were mainly aware of artificial intelligence as mechanical (27%), human (23%) and household goods (23%). Second, an artificial intelligence recognition survey by semantic discrimination found that artificial intelligence was recognized as smart, good, accurate, new, interesting, necessary, and diverse. Third, there was a difference between men and women in perception and emotion of artificial intelligence, and there was no difference in perception of the ability of artificial intelligence. Fourth, plant classification learning using machine learning in this study influenced changes in artificial intelligence perception. Fifth, plant classification learning using machine learning in this study had a positive effect on reasoning ability.

The purpose of this study is to develop scientist vignettes and to explore their effects to change students' perceptions of scientists, scientific attitudes, and the nature of science. The scientist vignettes developed in this study include research cases on seven scientists, including British zoologist Jane Goodall. Each vignette consists of 4 to 6 pages in consideration of the reading level of elementary school students, and contains illustrations describing the main contents of the text. In addition, scientist vignettes contain descriptions on terms and text boxes explaining the higher concepts, and each vignette contains questions that students can think deeply based on the story of the scientist. To verify the educational effectiveness of scientist vignettes, we investigated changes in their perceptions of scientists, scientific attitudes, and the nature of science in 564 elementary school students. We conducted group interviews with four elementary school teachers. As a result of conducting pre-test and post-test using a narrative questionnaire consisting of 6 questions, students became more sophisticated in the understanding of the science and the characteristics of scientists after experiencing scientist vignettes and their understanding the nature of science changed into a more modern epistemological perspective. Also, in a group interview with teachers, teachers assessed that scientist vignettes would positively affect the understanding of science process skills and the nature of science, and forming a scientific attitude, especially in increasing understanding of the nature of science. We discussed ways to effectively utilize scientist vignettes in elementary school science education based on these result.

Based on the importance of visual representation for scientific understanding, this study applied visual thinking in elementary science classes. This study analyzed elementary students' visual thinking and investigated the instructional influences. Students' perceptions on the class applying visual thinking were also investigated. The subject were 38 fourth grade students, 18 in experimental group and 20 in control group. For the unit of 'Shadow and mirror', on-line and off-line blended classes were applied in both group because of COVID-19. The experimental group student were asked to construct their own visual thinking, while the control group students used traditional workbook. The results were as follows. First, students' visual thinking can be classified into three different types, which are 'activity recall type', 'result summary type', and 'core concept representation type' based on what they represent rather than how they represent. Second, applying visual thinking in science class showed significant effects on science academic achievement, science related attitude, and creative academic efficacy. Third, students' perceptions on applying visual thinking in science classes were very positive. Students perceived visual thinking activities were interesting and helpful for understanding science. Educational implications of applying visual thinking in elementary science classes were discussed.

In this study, a problem-centered learning based STEAM field experience learning program was developed and the effects of applying it were investigated. The program was composed of 8 sessions by using problem-centered learning education method and integrating STEAM elements between disciplines. The contents of program are as follow. In the step of sharing problems and making a problem-solving plan, they understood the various examples and meanings of endangered species, explored the project activities, and made an inquiry plan. In the search and re-exploration phase, a smart device was used to investigate the appearance, habitat environment and cause of extinction for Clithon retropictus, and a site inquiry plan was established for each group. Then, they moved to the field to explore brackish-headed gallops and discuss ways to protect endangered species. In the step of creating a solution, a web-based report was produced as the final product using smart devices based on the results of the inquiry. In the presentation and evaluation stage, the produced web-based report was used to present each group, conduct mutual evaluation, and organize project activities. The developed program was applied to 6th grade 29 students enrolled in the J University Gifted Education Center. In order to find out the effectiveness of the program, tests of science process skill, creative problem-solving ability, and scientific attitude were conducted before and after of program learning, and the results were statistically analyzed by t-test. In addition, a STEAM program satisfaction test was conducted after project in order to find out the satisfaction of the class. As a result of application of the program, the results were significantly improved in openness, criticism, and creativity among the sub-factors of creative problem-solving ability and scientific attitude. Satisfaction with the STEAM program was also high, but no significant result was found in science process skill. Therefore, the program of this study could be influenced on improvement of creative problem-solving ability and scientific attitude of gifted students in elementary science.