Middle and high school teachers' conceptions of model-based inquiry and design activities of nanoscale phenomena

CHED 1618

Shanna Daly, sdaly@purudue.edu, Departments of Chemistry and Engineering Education, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, Box 378, Lafayette, IN 47906 and Lynn Bryan, labryan@purdue.edu, Departments of Physics and Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN 47906.
The National Center for Learning and Teaching Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NCLT) supports the integration of nanoscale concepts into middle and high school curricula. Science teachers of grades 7-12 participated in model-based nanoscale science and engineering inquiry and design activities at a Summer 2006 NCLT professional development workshop. Data collected during the workshop form the basis for our understanding of teachers' conceptions of uses for models in the science classroom and the impact of our model-based activities of nanoscale phenomena. Teachers expanded their views on the use of models; however, when asked to select or create their own model of a nanoscale phenomenon, most of the teachers did not choose models that emphasized an inquiry or design aspect. This finding contributes to a larger understanding of how teachers view models, and guides refinements to our model-based inquiry and design activities for future professional development workshops in nanoscale science and engineering.