The effect of hands-on science learning method in the education of science in primary school on the science process skills, academic achievement and motivation

This study has been conducted on hands-on science learning method, which isconsidered importance and effective in student learning science. In this study, the effectivenessof the hands-on science method was investigated in developing the science process skills,thacademic achievements of 6 grade students at the primary school and the motivation towardsscience learning.This study which was conducted by using the the experimental design with the randomthselected, treatment and two control groups was carried out on 6 grade students of Atatürk and75. Yıl Primary Schools located in the city of Manisa, district of Demirci during the spring periodwithin 2006-2007. Treatment and control groups were determined in both schools and, hands-on science learning method was used in the treatment group; and methods of the new scienceand technology primary program were used in the control groups. Totally 63 students consistedof treatment group (N=20), control I (N=21)-control II(N=23) groups were participated in theinvestigation. In the study, ?Science Process Skills Test? which was developed by Arslan (1995),?Academic Achievement Test? which was developed by researcher has been used in order todetermine the improvements in science process skills and academic achievement of thestudents; and ?Motivation Scale Towards Science Learning? which was developed by Tuan,Chinand Shief and analysed by researcher the construct validity and reliability Turkish version hasbeen used in order to measure the motivation of the students towards science learning. Inaddition, semi structured interview form which was prepared by researcher has been used inorder to determined the treatment group teacher views about the applied method.According to the findings of the study, science process skills, academic achievementsand motivation of the students towards science learning who were included in the treatmentgroup to which the hands-on science method was used were proven to have been significantlydifferentiated compared to those students included in the control groups. It is concluded that thisdifference resulted from the exerimental design applied in the research. In addition, the findingsof the survey which made semi structured interviews with the treatment group teacher, revealedthat the hands-on science method effective and sufficient to have the students scientific attitudeand behavior. With in the result occured, there some proposal were developed.One of the fundemental aims of the Science Course is to make students scientificallycurious, to improve their scientific attitude and skills, and to convert them into behavior. Use ofthe hands-on science methods in education, is going to ensure this aim to be realized and makeimportant contributions to promote quality of science education.Key Words: Hands-on Science, Science and Technology Teaching, Scientific ProcessSkills, MotivationX