6533b82afe1ef96bd128b622

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Museum behind the scenes–an inquiry-based learning unit with biological collections in the classroom

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description

AbstractThe aim of this study was to design and evaluate an inquiry- and activity-based learning unit for the classroom that uses biological collections to teach key evolutionary concepts and to support the understanding and appreciation of the work of a museum. The unit consisted of three parts that focused on the most important tasks of museums: collecting and conserving, researching and exhibiting. The students created their own collection, performed research surrounding it and then designed an exhibition. Seventy-six secondary sixth- and seventh-grade students participated in the testing of the prototype unit. For evaluation, we carried out a pre-/post-test design using a questionnaire that assessed content knowledge and learning enjoyment. The mean knowledge score of the post-test indicated significant learning gains compared to the pre-test results. The test on learning enjoyment showed best mean values for actions that included the collection, compared to results of the theoretical parts of the uni...