• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.173-190
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• 2019

The self-efficacy of pre-service teachers has been reported as a major factor in the instruction of the curriculum. In particular, considering the importance of science learning instruction for underrepresented students from the viewpoint of science education for all, pre-service elementary teachers' self-efficacy about science instruction for underrepresented students will be an important factor of science education for these students. The purpose of this study is to investigate the self-efficacy of pre-service elementary teachers in science instruction for underrepresented students. To this end, the science teaching and learning self-efficacy test tool (Lee & Im, 2010) was revised in accordance with the context of science teaching for underrepresented students into a total of 24 items using 5 Likert scales. Through using the test tool consists of 3 dimensions as Learning Efficacy, Teaching Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy, 81 pre-service elementary teachers were surveyed and the reliability of test tool was verified through factor analysis and assessing construct validity by using the responses. As a result of the analysis, setting 5 as the standard perfect score, the average score of self-efficacy per dimension was shown as 3.29 in Learning Efficacy, 2.89 in Teaching Efficacy, and 3.39 in Outcome Expectancy. We confirmed the tendency and difference of self-efficacy of the research objects according to their background factors in which direct and indirect experience relating to the science education for the underrepresented students. Also, we verified that pre-service elementary teachers' interest in science subject matter, teaching science and their perception of the value of science learning had significant relations with self-efficacy on science teaching for underrepresented students.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.532-540
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• 2012

This research investigated the motivation and interests of a sample of predominately-underrepresented populations to better understand whether informal STEM learning experiences offer support for developing STEM identities. A valid and reliable three-section self-reporting survey was administered to 169 secondary students as the primary data source. Identity was used as a theoretical lens along with descriptive statistics to reveal students' perceived benefits of the informal STEM learning experience, a Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program in the western U.S., for improving their understanding of science, mathematics, and engineering concepts, increasing their interest in science, mathematics, and engineering careers, and increasing their belief of the importance of these STEM disciplines. In summary, the findings emerging, considered alongside current identity research, suggest that informal STEM learning experiences offer students from underrepresented STEM populations the space needed for successful STEM identity bids, either for future career pursuits or participation in a STEM literate populace as a non-STEM professional societal member.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.242-257
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• 2014

Researchers have employed a diversity of definitions and measurement methods for creativity. As a result, creativity research is underrepresented in the literature and the findings of different studies often prove difficult to draw into a coherent body of understanding. With regard to assessment, there are some important problems both in creativity research and practice, such as originality bias and Big-C creativity bias in teachers' perceptions about creativity and creative thinking, and additive rather than multiplicative scoring systems of creativity assessment. Drawing upon most widely accepted conceptions of the creativity construct, I defined 'student's scientific creativity' as the ability to make a product both original and useful to the student in terms of little-c creativity, and 'scientist's scientific creativity' as the ability to come up with a product both original and useful to the science community in terms of Big-C creativity. In this study, an 'Assessment Formula for Scientific Creativity' was developed, which is consisted of the multiplication of originality and usefulness scores rather than the sum of the two scores, and then, with scores calculated from the assessment formula, the scientific explanations generated by children were categorized into four types: routine, useful, original, and creative types. The assessment formula was revealed to be both valid and reliable. The implications of the assessment formula for scientific creativity are examined. The new assessment formula may contribute to the comprehensive understanding of scientific creativity to guide future research and the appropriate interpretation of previous studies.