The effect of scientific activities upon scientific process skills, conceptual achievements and attitude of pre-service biology teachers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of scientific activities related to the fish toxicology upon the scientific process skills, conceptual knowledge and attitude towards biology labs of the pre-service biology teachers. The experimental and the control groups contained by 30 students chosen from the 3rd year students studying in Gazi University, Faculty of Education, Department of Biology Education. Both the experimental and control groups were chosen on arbitrary basis.The data collection tools used in the study were scientific process skills test (TIPS II), concept achievement test was developed by the researcher and attitude test towards biology laboratory. The data obtained from these tests were analyzed by the use of SPSS statistical software. The data were evaluated as regards to pre and post test difference and the post test results between the experimental and control groups regarding to their scientific process skills, concept achievements and attitudes towards biology labs.The data obtained revealed that student centered scientific activities had a positive effect on scientific process skills, concept achievements and attitudes of the students compared with the traditional teaching method.