Misconceptions about atoms and molecules and examplary activities to overcome these

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of success of primary and secondary school students on particulate nature of matter and to investigate the effect of model-based activities to overcome learning difficulties (misconceptions). The kinds of misconceptions of the students in other countries about the particulate nature of the matter have determined by examining the studies which are given in the literature. In the study two tests have been used for determining the misconceptions of the students. The first test is called MPYDT (Evaluation Test on Particulate Nature of Matter) and the second test MPYKT (Concept Test on Particulate Nature of Matter). Both of the tests were determined as reliable by carrying out with 135 ninth grade students. In addition, MDYT ( The Ability of Logical Thinking Test) was applied students. The research has carried out in a randomly selected primary and secondary school in Denizli city center in the second term of 2009-2010 academic year. 278 students chosen from two classes of 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary school and 207 students chosen from two classes of 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades of secondary school were determined as the screening group. As a result of the tests applied to this group, it has determined that the students had misconceptions on particulate nature of matter. The misconceptions of the students have been found to be connected with the students? level of education, their learning stages, the class in which they are and their mental developmental stages. It has found no differences statistically between male and female students about the rate of misconceptions found. Additionally one group pre-test post-test model has been used for determining the effect of model-based activities on overcoming misconceptions about the particulate nature of the matter. Model- based activities has performed to the research group of 166 primary school students on misconceptions. As a result some of misconceptions of the students have been overcome. However some of misconceptions have not been changed after model based activities. In addition, during the interviews with ten students from the research group it has determined that some misconceptions have been related to some explanation techniques and impressions on textbooks. The representative color bead models of the matters which are most-known by the students used in this research and the three dimensional models shown on a computer have been found effective on overcoming the misconceptions. In the interwievs it has cleared that the students like model-based activities and they enjoy the learning process. This research has important results for science and chemistry education. The research results are important for identifying students? misconceptions about the concepts of atom and molecules depending on their developmental stages and ages. The result of the research is also important for encouraging teachers using model-based activities on teaching the concepts of atoms and molecules.