Report of the model experiment related to the Moon in a course for trainee teachers in compulsory education: Utilizing the Scale and Concept Model Kits

The authors conducted two classes for undergraduate students. The aim of these experimental classes is to find better way to reduce the number of students with misconceptions related to the Moon’s phase change and increase the number of students with correct understanding of a lunar eclipse. To make deep knowledge of a lunar eclipse, in one class, we carried out practical work utilizing “The Scale Size Model Kit (SMK)”. In another class, the students performed the work utilizing “The Conceptual Model Kit (CMK)”. After these classes, we found that SMK could reduce the number of students who believe the Moon phase change occurs due to a lunar eclipse. In the next classes, the students performed the work utilizing “SMK” and “CSK”. Finally, we found that SMK and CMK could reduce the number of students who correctly reply the Moon phase change