The impact of field-based inquiry on students\u27 interest and attitude in science

This research is an investigation into the impact of field-based inquiry on students\u27 interest and attitude in science. Investigations were done in the outdoors for six weeks with a group of grade ten students. Students were exposed to authentic field-based inquiry, including investigating questions students asked, and the use of student\u27s notebook to enhance science process skills. The assessment of student\u27s notebooks and behavioral display was very important to the findings of this research. Pre-and post-surveys provided insights into students\u27 thinking regarding the learning of biology. The results revealed that the use of field-based inquiry is very effective in bridging the gap between students\u27 interest/attitudes and the learning of ecology. Students experienced an increase in field-based research skills, and a change in behavior towards the subject. This will encourage the improvement of ecology units, and provide support for teachers who want to take students to another level of learning ecology