Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Leadership and Foundations. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

O trabalho apresentado investiga as contribuições da pesquisa em ensino de ciências para a promoção da educação científica em atividades a serem desenvolvidas por laboratórios ativos de pesquisa. Apoiado nos debates sobre o ensino em espaços não formais, procura situar o ambiente de trabalho desses centros e suas possibilidades de interlocução com a escola básica e o público em geral. Tal perspectiva localiza as limitações desses laboratórios, reconhecendo a não intencionalidade própria dos espaços envolvidos, ao contrário do que se observa, por exemplo, em museus ou exposições científicas. Por outro lado, identifica sua singularidade, enquanto ambiente privilegiado para apresentar os processos de produção científica, enfatizando os aspectos sociais de seu fazer, pouco explorados no contexto escolar. Com esse intuito, foram analisadas as possíveis contribuições de reflexões sobre Alfabetização Científica e Ciência- Tecnologia-Sociedade (CTS), a fim de inserir articulações entre os aspectos do conhecimento científico presentes nos laboratórios e as demandas de visitantes. Em particular, investiga-se o acelerador de partículas Pelletron, do Departamento de Física Nuclear do IFUSP, analisando diferentes estratégias associadas a visitas, desenvolvidas ao longo de seis anos de trabalho, com a finalidade de promover a educação científica. Nessas análises, foi possível identificar que os diferentes protagonistas, sejam eles alunos, professores, cientistas ou técnicos, manifestam interesses nem sempre convergentes. Isso conduziu ao questionamento da centralidade atribuída ao conhecimento físico conceitual, procurando ampliar a ideia de conhecimento de forma a incluir outras dimensões do fazer científico. Nessa direção, discute-se o potencial de dimensões do conhecimento relacionadas à produção da ciência e sua função social. Propõe-se, assim, que o conhecimento físico se articule com situações da dinâmica da vida do laboratório e com as questões de inserção da ciência no conjunto da sociedade, ampliando a compreensão dos visitantes acerca da ciência. / The present study investigates the contributions of research in science learning to promote science education activities to be developed by operational research laboratories. Supported by discussions regarding the non-formal education, this study aims to situate the work environment of these laboratories and their potentialities of communication with elementary schools and the general public. This endeavor must recognize the limitations of these laboratories, since they have a different purpose when compared to museums and science exhibitions, for instance. On the other hand, it is possible to identify the uniqueness of such places as a privileged environment to present the science production process and the social aspects of this process, that is little explored in the school context. In addition, we analyzed the possible contributions of reflections on Scientific Literacy and Science- Technology-Society (STS), in order to insert links between aspects of scientific knowledge in the laboratories and the demands of visitors. In particular, we investigate the Pelletron particle accelerator, from the Department of Nuclear Physics of the Institute of Physics from the University of São Paulo (IFUSP), analyzing different strategies associated with the visits developed over six years of work, in order to promote science education. In these analyses, it was possible to identify that the different actors, such as students, teachers, scientists or technicians, express different interests that do not always converge. This led to challenge the central role attributed to conceptual physical knowledge, seeking the broadening of the idea of knowledge in order to include other dimensions of scientific work. In this sense, we discuss the possible dimensions of knowledge related to the production of science and its social function. Therefore, we propose that the physical knowledge must be linked to other aspects of the laboratory dynamics and to issues regarding the insertion of science in the society, expanding visitors\' understanding about it.

O objetivo da tese é estudar um laboratório das ciências biomédicas, buscando observar a gênese documental, as tipologias/espécies documentais e as práticas de manutenção e uso dos registros ali identificadas. A metodologia utilizada foi a de aplicação de um questionário, por meio de entrevista, aos pesquisadores, técnicos e alunos do Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Nossa hipótese é de que os elementos conceituais e metodológicos concebidos pelo conhecimento arquivístico com respeito à gestão de documentos encontram-se impregnados dos pressupostos da pesquisa histórica, da concepção de memória social. E, mais do que isso, estão embebidos de uma racionalidade técnica alinhada às práticas empíricas de organização que se defrontam permanentemente com a realidade documental mais complexa e levam a disciplina a negar seus fundamentos, destituindo-a de um estatuto científico. O processo de institucionalização da arquivística no Brasil e sua relação com o estatuto científico que a disciplina busca adquirir encontram um ponto de inflexão neste estudo sobre os arquivos produzidos em laboratórios científicos. Nesta perspectiva, não há como dissociar a aplicação dos princípios teóricos, dos métodos e das práticas arquivísticas, historicamente construídos, das ações e estratégias dos seus principais atores sociais. Para a abordagem da organização da ciência, no ambiente de domínio dos cientistas o laboratório -, valemo-nos dos instrumentos conceituais da sociologia da ciência, em suas diferentes vertentes. / The aim of the thesis is to study a biomedical science laboratory to observe how documents are created, what types and formats of documents there are, and how the records are maintained and used. The methodology used was to fill out questionnaires in interviews held with the researchers, lab technicians and students from the Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Laboratory at Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Our hypothesis is that the concepts and methodologies used by archival science for records management are impregnated with assumptions from historical research, from the conception of social memory, and that they are imbued with a technical rationale that is aligned with empirical organizational practices, which always come up against a more complex documental reality, leading the discipline to deny its foundations and stripping it of scientific status. The institutionalization of archival science in Brazil and how it relates to the scientific status coveted by the discipline find a point of inflexion in this study into the archives produced at scientific laboratories. From this perspective, it is impossible for theoretical principles, methods and archivist practices, all of which are historically engendered, to be separated from the actions and strategies of their leading social agents. In this investigation of the organization of science in the environment under the domain of scientists the laboratory , we make use of conceptual tools from different schools of thought within the sociology of science.

O objetivo da tese é estudar um laboratório das ciências biomédicas, buscando observar a gênese documental, as tipologias/espécies documentais e as práticas de manutenção e uso dos registros ali identificadas. A metodologia utilizada foi a de aplicação de um questionário, por meio de entrevista, aos pesquisadores, técnicos e alunos do Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Nossa hipótese é de que os elementos conceituais e metodológicos concebidos pelo conhecimento arquivístico com respeito à gestão de documentos encontram-se impregnados dos pressupostos da pesquisa histórica, da concepção de memória social. E, mais do que isso, estão embebidos de uma racionalidade técnica alinhada às práticas empíricas de organização que se defrontam permanentemente com a realidade documental mais complexa e levam a disciplina a negar seus fundamentos, destituindo-a de um estatuto científico. O processo de institucionalização da arquivística no Brasil e sua relação com o estatuto científico que a disciplina busca adquirir encontram um ponto de inflexão neste estudo sobre os arquivos produzidos em laboratórios científicos. Nesta perspectiva, não há como dissociar a aplicação dos princípios teóricos, dos métodos e das práticas arquivísticas, historicamente construídos, das ações e estratégias dos seus principais atores sociais. Para a abordagem da organização da ciência, no ambiente de domínio dos cientistas o laboratório -, valemo-nos dos instrumentos conceituais da sociologia da ciência, em suas diferentes vertentes. / The aim of the thesis is to study a biomedical science laboratory to observe how documents are created, what types and formats of documents there are, and how the records are maintained and used. The methodology used was to fill out questionnaires in interviews held with the researchers, lab technicians and students from the Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Laboratory at Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Our hypothesis is that the concepts and methodologies used by archival science for records management are impregnated with assumptions from historical research, from the conception of social memory, and that they are imbued with a technical rationale that is aligned with empirical organizational practices, which always come up against a more complex documental reality, leading the discipline to deny its foundations and stripping it of scientific status. The institutionalization of archival science in Brazil and how it relates to the scientific status coveted by the discipline find a point of inflexion in this study into the archives produced at scientific laboratories. From this perspective, it is impossible for theoretical principles, methods and archivist practices, all of which are historically engendered, to be separated from the actions and strategies of their leading social agents. In this investigation of the organization of science in the environment under the domain of scientists the laboratory , we make use of conceptual tools from different schools of thought within the sociology of science.

O trabalho apresentado investiga as contribuições da pesquisa em ensino de ciências para a promoção da educação científica em atividades a serem desenvolvidas por laboratórios ativos de pesquisa. Apoiado nos debates sobre o ensino em espaços não formais, procura situar o ambiente de trabalho desses centros e suas possibilidades de interlocução com a escola básica e o público em geral. Tal perspectiva localiza as limitações desses laboratórios, reconhecendo a não intencionalidade própria dos espaços envolvidos, ao contrário do que se observa, por exemplo, em museus ou exposições científicas. Por outro lado, identifica sua singularidade, enquanto ambiente privilegiado para apresentar os processos de produção científica, enfatizando os aspectos sociais de seu fazer, pouco explorados no contexto escolar. Com esse intuito, foram analisadas as possíveis contribuições de reflexões sobre Alfabetização Científica e Ciência- Tecnologia-Sociedade (CTS), a fim de inserir articulações entre os aspectos do conhecimento científico presentes nos laboratórios e as demandas de visitantes. Em particular, investiga-se o acelerador de partículas Pelletron, do Departamento de Física Nuclear do IFUSP, analisando diferentes estratégias associadas a visitas, desenvolvidas ao longo de seis anos de trabalho, com a finalidade de promover a educação científica. Nessas análises, foi possível identificar que os diferentes protagonistas, sejam eles alunos, professores, cientistas ou técnicos, manifestam interesses nem sempre convergentes. Isso conduziu ao questionamento da centralidade atribuída ao conhecimento físico conceitual, procurando ampliar a ideia de conhecimento de forma a incluir outras dimensões do fazer científico. Nessa direção, discute-se o potencial de dimensões do conhecimento relacionadas à produção da ciência e sua função social. Propõe-se, assim, que o conhecimento físico se articule com situações da dinâmica da vida do laboratório e com as questões de inserção da ciência no conjunto da sociedade, ampliando a compreensão dos visitantes acerca da ciência. / The present study investigates the contributions of research in science learning to promote science education activities to be developed by operational research laboratories. Supported by discussions regarding the non-formal education, this study aims to situate the work environment of these laboratories and their potentialities of communication with elementary schools and the general public. This endeavor must recognize the limitations of these laboratories, since they have a different purpose when compared to museums and science exhibitions, for instance. On the other hand, it is possible to identify the uniqueness of such places as a privileged environment to present the science production process and the social aspects of this process, that is little explored in the school context. In addition, we analyzed the possible contributions of reflections on Scientific Literacy and Science- Technology-Society (STS), in order to insert links between aspects of scientific knowledge in the laboratories and the demands of visitors. In particular, we investigate the Pelletron particle accelerator, from the Department of Nuclear Physics of the Institute of Physics from the University of São Paulo (IFUSP), analyzing different strategies associated with the visits developed over six years of work, in order to promote science education. In these analyses, it was possible to identify that the different actors, such as students, teachers, scientists or technicians, express different interests that do not always converge. This led to challenge the central role attributed to conceptual physical knowledge, seeking the broadening of the idea of knowledge in order to include other dimensions of scientific work. In this sense, we discuss the possible dimensions of knowledge related to the production of science and its social function. Therefore, we propose that the physical knowledge must be linked to other aspects of the laboratory dynamics and to issues regarding the insertion of science in the society, expanding visitors\' understanding about it.

No description available.

Since the 1980’s, education had to face various challenges such as new technologies, new ways of information gathering but also a reconsideration of conventional educational approaches. As a result, more emphasis has been placed on laboratory work in school science. In many industry nations, this trend was likewise bolstered by unexpected poor results in international comparative assessments (e.g. PISA, TIMSS), as well as students’ poor perception of science and, in relation to that, negative effects on career choices. To combat this growing trend, in Germany many out-of-school science laboratories were established in the recent years to foster interest in science. However, despite their positive temporary effects, approaches to increase effects or to develop long term positive changes are in demand. This research investigates how the out-of-school laboratory effects are affected by a preparation and post enhancement based upon previous studies. Therefore, an online portal was developed which provided cognitive and affective content in order to prepare and post enhance students for their visit in an out-of-school laboratory. The research-based study was aimed at students from grade 10 of lower and upper secondary level who perform one-day experimental activities at the out-of-school laboratory located at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf research center. In doing so, a comparative analysis was conducted between students who used the online portal and control group members who just regularly visited the laboratory without a special preparation or post enhancement. The evaluation follows a pre, post, and follow-up approach. Based on the results of this research, it could be confirmed that the online portal, as a tool to prepare and post enhance students, had a significant impact. Moreso, students’ situational interest was positively promoted through the online portal. This also applied for related features, like students’ self-concept as well as their perceptions of the out-of-school laboratory environment and even slight effects on their individual interest. As it turned out regarding the desired situational interest, females benefitted most. However, again most results suggest that evoked effects diminish over time. Even though this likely can be traced back to the characteristics of the post enhancement of the online portal, outcomes regarding students’ interest in science and a career in physics indicate the post enhancement’s ability to ensure sustainability. Within the sample three classes were identified based on their interests. Accordingly, for all classes’ members the portal fosters their situational interest. This especially applies for less scientific interested students. Assessments on the portal’s perception by the students revealed a high degree of willingness to prepare for the laboratory visit and to spend the time required. A large majority appreciated the online portal for their laboratory work. An extended preparation, like presented in this study, is still regarded as acceptable to the students. Nevertheless, a compulsory preparation and post enhancement is highly recommended. On the whole, it can be concluded that the online portal respectively a preparation and post enhancement is beneficial for activities out-of-school. / Anfang der 1980er-Jahre ergaben sich im Bildungssektor eine Reihe von Herausforderungen, die im Zusammenhang mit neuen Technologien, neuen Wegen des Informationsaustausches, aber auch des Hinterfragens traditioneller Bildungsansätze standen. Im Ergebnis dessen kam der experimentellen Arbeit im naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht eine stärkere Rolle zu. Unerwartet schwache Ergebnisse internationaler Vergleichsstudien (z.B. PISA, TIMSS) sowie ein schlechtes Image der Naturwissenschaften und damit einhergehende negative Auswirkungen auf die Kurs- und Berufswahl verstärkten diesen Trend in vielen Industrienationen. Vor diesem Hintergrund und mit dem Ziel, Interesse an Naturwissenschaften zu fördern, wurden in Deutschland in den vergangenen Jahren zahlreiche Schülerlabore etabliert. Trotz der Tatsache, dass die Einrichtungen positive Effekte erzielen, sind diese teilweise gering oder schwächen mit der Zeit ab. Wie bisherige Studien vermuten lassen, scheint die Vor- und Nachbereitung von Veranstaltungen im Schülerlabor eine Lösung hierfür zu bieten. Anhand der vorgestellten Studie soll dies untersucht werden. In diesem Zusammenhang wurde ein Online-Portal für Schülerinnen und Schüler entwickelt. Basierend auf kognitiven und affektiven Inhalten bietet es Teilnehmern die Möglichkeit, ihren Schülerlaborbesuch vor- und nachzubereiten. Die Studie richtete sich an Schüler ab der 10. Klasse der Sekundarstufe 1 und 2, die einen Experimentiertag im Schülerlabor DeltaX am Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf absolvierten. Dabei wurden in Form einer Vergleichsstudie Teilnehmer mit und ohne Nutzung des Online-Portals gegenübergestellt. Die entsprechenden Daten der Untersuchung wurden durch eine Fragebogenerhebung im Pre-Post-Follow-up-Design erhoben. Die Ergebnisse der Studie bestätigen den signifikanten Einfluss des Online-Portals. So zeigen sich durchaus positive Effekte hinsichtlich der Entwicklung des aktuellen Interesses der Schülerinnen und Schüler. Gleiches gilt auch im Hinblick auf verwandte Konstrukte wie das Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept, die wahrgenommenen Merkmale der Laborumgebung und auch abgeschwächt für dispositionale Interessen. Bezogen auf die angestrebte Förderung des aktuellen Interesses zeigte sich, dass vor allem Schülerinnen profitieren. Allerdings ließ sich für die meisten der hervorgerufenen Effekte ein Absinken im Verlauf der Zeit erkennen. Möglicherweise ist das auf die Umsetzung der Nachbereitung im Rahmen des Online-Portals zurückzuführen. Die Ergebnisse lassen die Vermutung zu, dass die Nachbereitung bezüglich des Interesses an Naturwissenschaften und an einem physikalischen Beruf das Potenzial besitzt, mehr Nachhaltigkeit hervorzurufen. Um Vorinteressen der Teilnehmer zu berücksichtigen, konnten drei unterschiedliche naturwissenschaftliche Interessensklassen identifiziert werden. Es stellte sich heraus, dass die Entwicklung des aktuellen Interesses aller drei Interessenklassen durch das Online-Portal gefördert wird. Dies gilt vor allem für die gering naturwissenschaftlich interessierten Schülerinnen und Schüler. Untersuchungen, die sich auf das Online-Portal selbst bezogen, offenbarten zum einen ein hohes Maß an Bereitschaft, sich auch mit dem dafür notwendigen zeitlichen Aufwand auf den Experimentiertag im Schülerlabor vorzubereiten. Zum anderen schätzt die breite Mehrheit der Teilnehmer das Online-Portal für ihre Arbeit im Schülerlabor. Selbst eine umfangreichere Vorbereitung wird von den Schülerinnen und Schülern als akzeptabel betrachtet. Es wird dennoch dazu geraten, die Vor- und Nachbereitung obligatorisch durchzuführen. Insgesamt zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Studie den positiven Einfluss des Online-Portals bzw. der Vor- und Nachbereitung auf außerschulische Aktivitäten.

The performance of learners in Physical Sciences in South Africa has been very poor for a very long time because of lack of basic understanding of scientific concepts. Given this background, there is the need to conduct an educational research to find pedagogical ways to improve performance in Physical Sciences in the secondary schools. Hence, the proposed study aims to investigate the use of science resource centres and laboratories to improve Physical Sciences education in Mthatha. In the light of the literature review, a list of facts were acquired which were used to develop the questionnaire for the Physical Sciences learners and their teachers. Seven public and private high schools in Mthatha were selected for the study. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select respondents. The study followed a non-experimental quantitative design to collect data. The main instruments used were questionnaire and interview. The various responses were analysed and interpreted with the literature. It was found that, the use of science resource centre and laboratory activities, together with a more learner-centred approach to teaching would significantly improve learner performance in Physical Sciences. The necessary recommendations and suggestions were made. It is hope that these recommendations would be taken up by the appropriate bodies to ensure that the needed benefits are obtained from the science resources, and laboratories. In this way, the science and technological base of the nation as a whole is strengthened for its development. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

Since the 1980’s, education had to face various challenges such as new technologies, new ways of information gathering but also a reconsideration of conventional educational approaches. As a result, more emphasis has been placed on laboratory work in school science. In many industry nations, this trend was likewise bolstered by unexpected poor results in international comparative assessments (e.g. PISA, TIMSS), as well as students’ poor perception of science and, in relation to that, negative effects on career choices. To combat this growing trend, in Germany many out-of-school science laboratories were established in the recent years to foster interest in science. However, despite their positive temporary effects, approaches to increase effects or to develop long term positive changes are in demand. This research investigates how the out-of-school laboratory effects are affected by a preparation and post enhancement based upon previous studies. Therefore, an online portal was developed which provided cognitive and affective content in order to prepare and post enhance students for their visit in an out-of-school laboratory. The research-based study was aimed at students from grade 10 of lower and upper secondary level who perform one-day experimental activities at the out-of-school laboratory located at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf research center. In doing so, a comparative analysis was conducted between students who used the online portal and control group members who just regularly visited the laboratory without a special preparation or post enhancement. The evaluation follows a pre, post, and follow-up approach. Based on the results of this research, it could be confirmed that the online portal, as a tool to prepare and post enhance students, had a significant impact. Moreso, students’ situational interest was positively promoted through the online portal. This also applied for related features, like students’ self-concept as well as their perceptions of the out-of-school laboratory environment and even slight effects on their individual interest. As it turned out regarding the desired situational interest, females benefitted most. However, again most results suggest that evoked effects diminish over time. Even though this likely can be traced back to the characteristics of the post enhancement of the online portal, outcomes regarding students’ interest in science and a career in physics indicate the post enhancement’s ability to ensure sustainability. Within the sample three classes were identified based on their interests. Accordingly, for all classes’ members the portal fosters their situational interest. This especially applies for less scientific interested students. Assessments on the portal’s perception by the students revealed a high degree of willingness to prepare for the laboratory visit and to spend the time required. A large majority appreciated the online portal for their laboratory work. An extended preparation, like presented in this study, is still regarded as acceptable to the students. Nevertheless, a compulsory preparation and post enhancement is highly recommended. On the whole, it can be concluded that the online portal respectively a preparation and post enhancement is beneficial for activities out-of-school.:1. Science, Education, & Society 2. Out-of-school laboratories 3. Out-of-school science education 4. Applied educational psychological concepts 5. Studies on out-of-school science laboratories 6. Research Questions and Hypotheses 7. Methods 8. The Study 9. Statistics 10. Determination of the student groups 11. Verification of the hypothesis 12. Investigations on the online portal 13. Discussion 14. Summary 15. Limitations of the study 16. Implications and recommendations / Anfang der 1980er-Jahre ergaben sich im Bildungssektor eine Reihe von Herausforderungen, die im Zusammenhang mit neuen Technologien, neuen Wegen des Informationsaustausches, aber auch des Hinterfragens traditioneller Bildungsansätze standen. Im Ergebnis dessen kam der experimentellen Arbeit im naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht eine stärkere Rolle zu. Unerwartet schwache Ergebnisse internationaler Vergleichsstudien (z.B. PISA, TIMSS) sowie ein schlechtes Image der Naturwissenschaften und damit einhergehende negative Auswirkungen auf die Kurs- und Berufswahl verstärkten diesen Trend in vielen Industrienationen. Vor diesem Hintergrund und mit dem Ziel, Interesse an Naturwissenschaften zu fördern, wurden in Deutschland in den vergangenen Jahren zahlreiche Schülerlabore etabliert. Trotz der Tatsache, dass die Einrichtungen positive Effekte erzielen, sind diese teilweise gering oder schwächen mit der Zeit ab. Wie bisherige Studien vermuten lassen, scheint die Vor- und Nachbereitung von Veranstaltungen im Schülerlabor eine Lösung hierfür zu bieten. Anhand der vorgestellten Studie soll dies untersucht werden. In diesem Zusammenhang wurde ein Online-Portal für Schülerinnen und Schüler entwickelt. Basierend auf kognitiven und affektiven Inhalten bietet es Teilnehmern die Möglichkeit, ihren Schülerlaborbesuch vor- und nachzubereiten. Die Studie richtete sich an Schüler ab der 10. Klasse der Sekundarstufe 1 und 2, die einen Experimentiertag im Schülerlabor DeltaX am Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf absolvierten. Dabei wurden in Form einer Vergleichsstudie Teilnehmer mit und ohne Nutzung des Online-Portals gegenübergestellt. Die entsprechenden Daten der Untersuchung wurden durch eine Fragebogenerhebung im Pre-Post-Follow-up-Design erhoben. Die Ergebnisse der Studie bestätigen den signifikanten Einfluss des Online-Portals. So zeigen sich durchaus positive Effekte hinsichtlich der Entwicklung des aktuellen Interesses der Schülerinnen und Schüler. Gleiches gilt auch im Hinblick auf verwandte Konstrukte wie das Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept, die wahrgenommenen Merkmale der Laborumgebung und auch abgeschwächt für dispositionale Interessen. Bezogen auf die angestrebte Förderung des aktuellen Interesses zeigte sich, dass vor allem Schülerinnen profitieren. Allerdings ließ sich für die meisten der hervorgerufenen Effekte ein Absinken im Verlauf der Zeit erkennen. Möglicherweise ist das auf die Umsetzung der Nachbereitung im Rahmen des Online-Portals zurückzuführen. Die Ergebnisse lassen die Vermutung zu, dass die Nachbereitung bezüglich des Interesses an Naturwissenschaften und an einem physikalischen Beruf das Potenzial besitzt, mehr Nachhaltigkeit hervorzurufen. Um Vorinteressen der Teilnehmer zu berücksichtigen, konnten drei unterschiedliche naturwissenschaftliche Interessensklassen identifiziert werden. Es stellte sich heraus, dass die Entwicklung des aktuellen Interesses aller drei Interessenklassen durch das Online-Portal gefördert wird. Dies gilt vor allem für die gering naturwissenschaftlich interessierten Schülerinnen und Schüler. Untersuchungen, die sich auf das Online-Portal selbst bezogen, offenbarten zum einen ein hohes Maß an Bereitschaft, sich auch mit dem dafür notwendigen zeitlichen Aufwand auf den Experimentiertag im Schülerlabor vorzubereiten. Zum anderen schätzt die breite Mehrheit der Teilnehmer das Online-Portal für ihre Arbeit im Schülerlabor. Selbst eine umfangreichere Vorbereitung wird von den Schülerinnen und Schülern als akzeptabel betrachtet. Es wird dennoch dazu geraten, die Vor- und Nachbereitung obligatorisch durchzuführen. Insgesamt zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Studie den positiven Einfluss des Online-Portals bzw. der Vor- und Nachbereitung auf außerschulische Aktivitäten.:1. Science, Education, & Society 2. Out-of-school laboratories 3. Out-of-school science education 4. Applied educational psychological concepts 5. Studies on out-of-school science laboratories 6. Research Questions and Hypotheses 7. Methods 8. The Study 9. Statistics 10. Determination of the student groups 11. Verification of the hypothesis 12. Investigations on the online portal 13. Discussion 14. Summary 15. Limitations of the study 16. Implications and recommendations

The two-part Views on Chemistry Practicals (VOCP) instrument for measuring the views of grade 10 to 12 Physical Science students about the benefits and problems of Chemistry practicals was empirically developed and trialed using six schools in Gauteng. The summary part of the resultant VOCP instrument comprises 24 Likert items and the explanatory part comprises 24 multiple-choice items with 163 options, thus creating a unique current record of a wide range of students' views of chemistry practicals and providing teachers with a tool for improving chemistry practicals. The trial of the instrument with 230 students from three schools indicated that the summary part of the instrument is reliable (Cronbach alpha coefficient) and that a shortened explanatory part of the instrument is reliable (Chi squared values for 17 items with 98 options). The validity of the VOCP instrument was established through the empirical development of the instrument using triangulation of data. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Natural Science Education)