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Saturday Science QUEST: A Science Enrichment Program for Elementary Children and Preservice Elementary Teachers
Author(s) -
Worch Eric A.,
Gabel Dorothy L.,
Odell Michael R.L.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
school science and mathematics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.135
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 1949-8594
pISSN - 0036-6803
DOI - 10.1111/j.1949-8594.1994.tb15706.x
Subject(s) - mathematics education , science education , psychology , primary education , science learning , teacher education , school teachers , pedagogy
Motivated by recent reports decrying the state of elementary science teaching in the United States, a science enrichment program has been instituted to stimulate science interest in elementary‐age children and to provide preservice elementary teachers with additional science teaching experience. After one and a half years, our data indicate that children feel science at school is boring because they usually learn science only from a textbook and/or they don't feel challenged. Most of these children enjoy the more challenging Saturday Science QUEST courses because they are engaged in hands‐on explorations and receive more attention from their instructors. Course descriptions, preservice teacher experiences, program maintenance, and feedback from children and parents are provided.