É comum encontrar em escolas brasileiras um ensino de ciências que prioriza aulas expositivas com a valorização de conteúdos conceituais com caráter descritivo, memorístico e descontextualizado com o cotidiano e com a realidade dos alunos e/ou da comunidade escolar. O ensino por investigação dentro do contexto da Alfabetização Científica (AC) desvia o foco do ensino de ciências na memorização de conceitos, privilegiando estratégias de como relacionar os conceitos científicos aprendidos de forma a contribuírem para a construção de uma visão consciente e crítica sobre os processos de produção do conhecimento científico. Essa abordagem de ensino, contudo, enfrenta uma série de dificuldades para ser implementada, destacando-se a má formação docente durante a vida acadêmica; os licenciandos saem despreparados com concepções errôneas do ensino por investigação, refletindo em equívocos, por exemplo, na elaboração de sequências didáticas investigativas. A existência de programas de aperfeiçoamento profissional durante a graduação, como o PIBID, por exemplo, podem promover esclarecimentos aos futuros docentes acerca sobre princípios do ensino por investigação, permitindo a construção de sequências didáticas investigativas. Com isso, essa pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar os aspectos do ensino por investigação que poderiam estar presentes em uma sequência didática (sd) elaborada por licenciandos dentro do contexto, PIBID-IB/USP. Para isso, foram analisados os planos de aula e as atividades da sd através da ferramenta DEEnCI, identificando em quais momentos da aplicação da sd houve um maior ou menor direcionamento dos licenciandos. Além disso, foram aplicados questionários e entrevistas com os licenciandos para análise das suas ideias e compreensões sobre o ensino por investigação. Como resultados, notou-se que a sequência didática elaborada pelos licenciandos proporcionou: resgate dos conhecimentos prévios, coleta e análise de dados, engajamento dos alunos mediante perguntas de pesquisa e aplicação dos conceitos aprendidos, de maneira integrada e articulada na última atividade da sd, representando uma situação real, vivenciada pela comunidade escolar. Os dados da ferramenta juntamente com os obtidos pelas entrevistas e questionários demonstram que os licenciandos foram mais atuantes em alguns momentos da aplicação da sd, como na interpretação de conceitos e na análise de dados. Isso, no entanto, não deve ser mal interpretado, pois os licenciandos dessa pesquisa tinham pouca e/ou nenhuma experiência como docente, assim, um maior direcionamento da investigação faz com que os licenciandos se sintam mais seguros mediante a execução da atividade. Dessa maneira, essa pesquisa apresentou análises importantes e pertinentes do PIBID dentro do contexto IB/USP, na perspectiva de apresentar quais foram os avanços e limitações do grupo escola estudado, para incorporar e promover o ensino por investigação na elaboração, planejamento e a aplicação de sequências didáticas investigativas, reforçando assim, a importância de programas de formação docente, nesse caso o PIBID, como um instrumento relevante para a formação docente. / It is common to find in Brazilian schools, a science education that prioritizes expository classes with the valuation of conceptual contents with a descriptive, memoristic and decontextualized character with daily life and with the reality of students and / or community. Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE), within the context of Scientific Literacy (AC) deviates the focus of science teaching on the memorization of concepts, privileging strategies of how to relate the scientific concepts learned in order to contribute to the construction of a conscious and critical vision on the processes of production of scientific knowledge. In addition, the IBSE can develop skills such as observing phenomena, defining problems and formulating a research question, developing hypotheses to be tested, designing experiments, interpreting data, and using data as evidence so that they can therefore be scientifically literate. This approach, however, faces a number of difficulties to be implemented, especially teacher mismanagement during academic life. In this way, the student teachers are left unprepared with misconceptions about research teaching, reflecting in misunderstandings, for example in the elaboration of inquiry sequence learning. The existence of professional development programs during graduation, such as the PIBID, for example, can promote the clarification of future teachers about the principles of IBSE, allowing the construction of didactic sequences of research. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the aspects of IBSE that could be identified in a didactic sequence elaborated by student teachers within the context, PIBID-IB / USP. For that, the lesson plans and SD activities were analyzed through the DEEnCI tool, identifying in which moments of the SD application there was a greater or lesser direction of the teacher students. In addition, questionnaires and interviews with the teacher students were applied to analyze their ideas and their understandings about research teaching. As a result, it was noticed that the didactic sequence elaborated by the student teacher provided: the retrieval of previous knowledge, data collection and analysis, students\' engagement through research questions and application of the concepts learned, in an integrated and articulated way in the last activity of SD, representing a real situation experienced by the school community. The data of the tool together with those obtained by the interviews and questionnaires show that the student teachers were more active in some moments of the application of SD, as in the interpretation of concepts and the analysis of data. However, this should not be misinterpreted because the student teachers of this research had little or no experience as a teacher, so a greater focus of research makes the graduates feel more secure through the execution of the activity. In this way, this research presented important and pertinent analyses of PIBID within the IB / USP context, in order to present the advances and limitations of the studied school group, to incorporate and promote IBSE in the elaboration, planning and application of inquiry sequence learning, thus reinforcing the importance of professional development programs during graduation.

Introduction of the thesis deals with inquiry-based science learning - from the level of research to its evaluation. The following practical advice summarize information about the possibilities of obtaining natural material for teaching, creating permanent diatom preparations and examples of suitable determination literature for teachers. The main part of this work presents 12 elaborated study materials for research teaching method divided into five phycologically oriented topics: (1) cyanobacterial and algal physiology, (2) biodiversity of standing waters, (3) algae defense mechanisms, (4) cyanobacteria and algae like bioindicators, (5) substances in cyanobacteria and algae and their importance for humans. Individual study materials contain information on the level of research, methodological guidance for teachers with a theoretical basis and introductory questions to motivate students, as well as a recording sheet for students and, in conclusion, own proposed solution for teachers. Another part of this thesis is a comparison of inquiry-based science learning with frontal education, which is done by didactic test.

Deveria ser esperado que a população fosse ciente de como a ciência, e principalmente, seus conhecimentos e aplicações, chegam até ela e, para isso, tivesse esclarecimento e discernimento suficientes para perceber, entender e julgar as novidades científico-tecnológicas a que tem acesso no que poderíamos chamar de Alfabetização Científica (AC). Sasseron (2008) define a AC como um processo de inserção dos indivíduos dentro da cultura científica. Sasseron e Carvalho (2008), a partir de eixos estruturantes da AC, propõem indicadores que servem como parâmetros que permitam identificar que a AC está em processo. Osborne e Patterson publicam, em 2011, um polêmico trabalho com o intuito de distinguir Argumentos de Explicações, alegando que a falta de distinção entre estes dois conceitos representa uma fraqueza no campo de pesquisa em ensino de Ciências. Tomando a AC como norte para o ensino de ciência, Argumentos e Explicações se valorizam, já que pertencem às práticas da ciência e podem ser um meio de atingir metas cognitivas, epistêmicas e sociais da aprendizagem em Ciências. Os objetivos deste trabalho: a) a partir de apoios da literatura, desenvolver recursos metodológicos para caracterizar e diferenciar argumentos e explicações; b) identificar e analisar argumentos e explicações presentes nas produções escritas de alunos; c) identificar e analisar indicadores de AC presentes nas produções escritas dos alunos. Nossa análise se deu sobre uma das atividades realizadas dentro do contexto de uma sequência de ensino investigativo (SEI), a qual aborda a temática \"Dinâmica Populacional\", aplicada em duas turmas do 1° ano do Ensino Médio da Escola de Aplicação da Faculdade de Educação da Universidade de São Paulo (EAFEUSP) em 2012 e 2013. Os alunos realizaram um experimento sobre a capacidade suporte de um ambiente para a população de Lemna sp (uma planta aquática de pequeno porte que apresenta alta taxa de reprodução por brotamento). Após a realização desse experimento, os alunos produziram relatórios coletivamente com conclusões individuais. Analisamos cada trecho (o qual poderia se constituir de um parágrafo, tabela, gráfico ou figura) de um conjunto de 29 relatórios em busca dos indicadores da AC e de Explicações e Argumentos. Foram encontrados 571 indicadores de AC nos relatórios e 367 nas conclusões individuais, e isso nos permite considerar que a AC está em processo. Também podemos considerar que os alunos envolveram-se com as investigações e as discussões propostas. A proposição de uma metodologia de desambiguação é tanto metodologia como resultado, e a aplicação desta nos permitiu identificar 35 Explicações e 22 Argumentos nos relatórios e respectivamente 21 e 40 nas 52 conclusões individuais que foram produzidas apenas no ano de 2013. No tocante aos objetivos desta pesquisa, acreditamos tê-los respondido na medida em que desenvolvemos uma metodologia que nos permitiu distinguir Argumentos e Explicações em produções escritas de alunos e identificamos os indicadores de Alfabetização Científica presentes nessas produções. Essa última tarefa culminou na proposição de dois novos indicadores em acréscimo aos que usamos como referência (SASSERON 2008; SASSERON e CARVALHO 2008): um deles é o próprio Argumento, e outro, a Listagem de materiais. / Should be expected that the population is aware of how science, especially their knowledge and reach, comes to her and, therefore, had sufficient enlightenment and discernment to perceive, understand and judge the scientific and technological innovations that give access to what may be called the Scientific Literacy (SL). Sasseron (2008) defines the SL as a process of integration of individuals within the scientific culture. Sasseron and Carvalho (2008) from the structural axis of SL propose indicators that serve as parameters that identify that the SL is in process. Osborne and Patterson published a controversial study in 2011 in order to distinguish Arguments from Explanations, claiming that the lack of distinction between these concepts is a weakness in the field of research in science teaching. Taking the SL as north to the teaching of science, Arguments and Explanations are valued, since they belong to the practices of science and can be a way to achieve cognitive, epistemic and social goals of learning in science. The aims of this work: a) supported from the literature, develop methodological tools to characterize and differentiate Arguments and Explanations; b) identify and analyze Arguments and Explanations present in the written production of students; c) identify and analyze indicators of SL present in the students\' written productions. Our analysis was based on one of the activities carried out within the context of a sequence of investigative teaching (SEI), which deals with the \"Population Dynamics\" theme, applied to two classes of the 1st year of high school at the Escola de Aplicação from the Faculdade de Educação from University of São Paulo (EAFEUSP) in 2012 e 2013. Students conducted an experiment on the carrying capacity of an environment for the population of Lemna sp (an aquatic plant that features small high rate of reproduction by budding). After performing this experiment, students collectively produced reports with individual conclusions. We analyzed each passage (which could be a paragraph, table, graph or diagram) of a set of 29 reports in search of indicators of the AC, the explanations and arguments. We found 571 indicators of SL in the reports and the 367 in the individual conclusions, and this allows us to consider that the SL is in progress. We can also consider that the students were involved with the investigation and the proposed discussions. The proposition of a methodology for the disambiguation is both method and result. Applying this methodology allowed us to identify 35 Explanations and 22 Arguments in the reports. We found respectively 21 and 40 in 52 individual conclusions that were produced in 2013 only. Concerning the aims of this study, we believe having them answered, as we developed a methodology that allowed us to distinguish Arguments and Explanations in written production of students, and identify indicators of Scientific Literacy on those productions. This last task culminated in the proposal of two new indicators in addition to those we used as reference (SASSERON 2008; SASSERON e CARVALHO 2008): one is the Argument itself, and another, the Listing of Materials.

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program [IB PYP] is a student-driven, inquiry-based elementary school level educational program that has grown rapidly in the United States since its creation in 1997. This study explores how IB PYP art teachers define and implement inquiry-based instructional methods in their art rooms through a nation-wide, online survey of art teachers, coordinators, and administrators. The Survey consists of 22 questions which ask respondents to describe their classroom practices and provide examples of how they make use of inquiry-based methods in the art room. The responses to this survey were then value coded for four different phases of inquiry and three degrees of student-centeredness to analyze understandings of these practices. This study concludes that conceptions of these instructional methods vary greatly in occasionally contradictory ways. There is need for more robust lesson plans examples and increased frequency and access to subject specific training, in both physical and online settings.

This program evaluation study addressed a critical deficiency in early childhood math proficiency for a local urban school district. To strengthen students' skills in mathematics, the district adopted the Common Core State Standards and piloted an inquiry-based instructional program called My Math. The purpose of this project study was to determine the extent to which My Math met the goals of improving Grades K-2 students' math proficiency. The conceptual framework was based on theories of multiple intelligences, social learning, and foundations of social development. The National Program Evaluation Standards were used to guide the program evaluation. The research questions centered on the implementation of My Math in terms of usability, lesson coherence, support provided by program materials and effectiveness of materials in enhancing students' mathematical processes based on teachers' perspectives. Data were collected from 57 teachers who completed an electronic survey and from 6 teachers who participated in focus groups and interviews. Survey data were descriptively analyzed and interview and focus group data were coded for development of common themes. Teacher participants reported gains in students' mathematical processes after using the My Math program. The program evaluation report reflected support for My Math as an effective instructional program for Grades K-2 along with recommendations for supplementation of the program with additional resources to address individual needs among students. Positive social change at the local level includes enhancing students' learning and achievement in mathematics, and assisting other districts in understanding the benefits of the My Math program on student achievement for early childhood students.

The goal of primary science education is to foster children’s interest, develop positive science attitudes and promote science process skills development. Learning by playing and discovering provides several opportunities for children to inquiry and understand science based on the first–hand experience. The current research was conducted in the children’s laboratory in Heureka, the Finnish science centre. Young children (aged 7 years) which came from 4 international schools did a set of chemistry experiments in the laboratory. From the results of the cognitive test, the pre-test, the post-test, supported by observation and interview, we could make the conclusion that children enjoyed studying in the laboratory. Chemistry science was interesting and fascinating for young children; no major gender differences were found between boys and girls learning in the science laboratory. Lab work not only encouraged children to explore and investigate science, but also stimulated children’s cognitive development.

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of 7E learning cycle model as an inquiry-based learning on the improvement of 5th grade students&rsquo / critical thinking skills. This study was conducted during 2005-2006 spring semester in a private primary school in Sakarya. A total of 46 fifth grade students from two different classes of the same science teacher was involved in the study. Two classes were randomly assigned as experimental group and control group. While students in the control group were instructed with traditional method, inquiry-based learning was carried out in the experimental group. Since phenomena that show cause and effect relationships are good inquiry subjects, water cycle in the science and technology curriculum was taken as the unit in the present study. The Cornell Conditional Reasoning Test, from the Cornell Critical Thinking Skills Tests Series was administered as pre-test and post-test to students both in the experimental and control groups. The effects of gender and family income of the students on the dependent variable were also checked. Statistical Analysis of Covariance was used to test the hypotheses of this study. The results indicated that the experimental group achieved significantly better than the control group in both the critical thinking skill test. In other words, inquiry-based learning improved students&rsquo / critical thinking skills. On the other hand, no significant effect of gender and family income on improvement of students&rsquo / critical thinking skills was found.

The purposes of this study were to explore understanding of preservice science teachers&rsquo / (PSTs) nature of science (NOS) views during the explicit-reflective and inquiry-based laboratory instruction and investigate PSTs&rsquo / perspectives and experiences related to learning NOS aspects in the science laboratory course. This study was carried out during the Laboratory Application in Science II course. A total of 45 PSTs participated to the study. The design of the study was qualitative and exploratory in nature. In the initial phase of the study, the researcher collected qualitative data with open-ended questionnaire to explore PSTs&rsquo / NOS views. Then, during the semester, reflection papers were collected to understand PSTs&rsquo / experiences with the intervention and to detect development about each NOS aspect. At the end of the semester, qualitative questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine the impact of the explicit-reflective and inquiry-based laboratory instruction. The results showed that all of the PSTs were able to make appropriate connections among the laboratory activities and the targeted NOS aspects at the end of the instruction. In addition, many PSTs developed their understanding levels of each aspect of nature of science. Moreover, findings revealed that some of the PSTs made connections among NOS aspects. Three main factors / discussions and presentations, using inquiry skills, and doing inquiry-based laboratory activities were determined as provide to PSTs to develop their NOS understanding. Furthermore, at the end PSTs developed their perspectives about teaching NOS.

One type of instruction that is of particular interest in STEM education is instruction that actively engages students in inquiry and discovery. The author develops an operational definition of instruction for discovery learning (IDL) that adopts some of the fundamental commonalities among many reform-oriented instructional frameworks such as inquiry-based and project-based instruction. Four teachers—who received their bachelor’s degree in mathematics and teacher certification from the same undergraduate teacher-preparation program—and their Algebra I classes were observed with the focus on how particular features of IDL were being implemented in their classrooms. To gain further perspective on classroom practices and interactions, student surveys were administered to a total of 142 students and each teacher was interviewed. The student surveys focused on student orientations toward IDL, attitudes toward mathematics, and their perspective of IDL implementation in their class. Student survey data was analyzed through ANOVA, post hoc tests were used to identify significant pair-wise differences between teachers for which the ANOVA identified significance, and a factor analysis was used to evaluate the component loadings for the survey questions. The surveys revealed significant differences between perceived activities in the classes (p<0.05), but did not show very significant differences between student orientations toward IDL. All four teachers expressed familiarity with and commitment to reform-oriented frameworks such as inquiry-based and project-based instruction, and certainly experienced inquiry-based learning as students themselves in their undergraduate program. However, only one teacher—the one teaching in a New Tech high school that was structured on the framework of project-based instruction (PBI)—showed consistent differences in both student perspectives of IDL and observed implementation of IDL. The author discusses the levels at which these teachers implemented IDL, the differences among student perceptions across the classes, teacher orientations toward mathematics and learning, and the importance of a supportive school culture and administration in order to fully implement IDL and influence both student and teacher orientations toward reform-oriented pedagogy. / text

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