Examining the effects of science curriculum and activities developed for gifted students in Turkey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/bn7qg334Keywords:
Gifted students, scientific creativity, scientist image, science and art education center, special educationAbstract
This study employed a mixed-methods design to investigate the impact of activities developed by the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) on the scientific creativity and scientist perceptions of gifted 5th-grade students. The research used a one-group pretest-posttest design with a sample of 22 students from a Science and Art Education Centre in a northwestern province of Türkiye. Quantitative data were collected using the "Scientific Creativity Test" and "Draw a Scientist Test", while qualitative data were gathered through an opinion form and a metaphor generation task. Results indicated that the activities significantly enhanced scientific creativity but did not alter scientist perceptions. Qualitative findings revealed that students developed more positive views of science and scientists, finding the activities both engaging and informative.
Downloads
References
Aikenhead, G. S. (2006). Science education for everyday life: Evidence-based practice. Teachers College Press.
Archambault Jr, F. X. (1993). Regular classroom practices with gifted students: Results of a national survey of classroom teachers. Research Monograph 93102.
Aruan, S. A., Okere, M. I., & Wachanga, S. (2016). Influence of culture and gender on secondary school students' scientific creativity in biology education in Turkana County, Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(35), 25-35.
Assouline, S. G., Mahatmya, D., Ihrig, L., & Lane, E. (2021). High-achieving rural middle-school students’ academic self-efficacy and attributions in relationship to gender. High Ability Studies, 32(2), 143-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/13598139.2020.1740582
Astutik, S., & Prahani, B. K. (2018). The practicality and effectiveness of collaborative creativity learning (ccl) model by using Phet simulation to increase students' scientific creativity. International Journal of Instruction, 11(4), 409-424.
Aubry, A., Gonthier, C., & Bourdin, B. (2021). Explaining the high working memory capacity of gifted children: Contributions of processing skills and executive control. Acta Psychologica, 218, 103358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103358
Aubusson, P. J., Harrison, A. G., & Ritchie, S. M. (2006). Metaphor and analogy: Serious thought in science education. In Metaphor and analogy in science education (pp. 1-9). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
Ayverdi, L., Asker, E., Aydin, S. Ö., & Saritaş, T. (2012). Determination of the relationship between elementary students’ scientific creativity and academic achievement in science and technology courses. Elementary Education Online, 11(3), 646-659. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ilkonline/issue/8588/106717
Bermejo, M. R., Ruiz-Melero, M. J., Esparza, J., Ferrando, M., & Pons, R. (2016). A new measurement of scientific creativity: The study of its psychometric properties. Anales de Psicología, 32(3), 652-661. http://dx.doi.org/10.6018/analesps.32.3.259411
Brown, B. (2017). The predictive value of self-regulation to predict the underachievement of gifted preadolescent students [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Alabama.
Brown, K., Grimbeek, P., Parkinson, P., & Swindell, R. (2004). Assessing the scientific literacy of younger students: Moving on from the stereotypes of the Draw-A-Scientist-Test. In Educating: Weaving Research into Practice: Volume 1 (pp. 144-152). Nathan, Qld: Griffith University, School of Cognition, Language and Special Education.
Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çokluk, Ö., & Köklü, N. (2010). Statistics for the social sciences (6theds.). Pegem Akademy.
Callahan, C. M., Moon, T. R., Oh, S., Azano, A. P., & Hailey, E. P. (2015). What works in gifted education: Documenting the effects of an integrated curricular/instructional model for gifted students. American Educational Research Journal, 52(1), 137-167. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831214549448
Cameron, L. (2003). Metaphor in educational discourse. A&C Black.
Chambers, D. (1983). Stereotypic images of the scientist: The Draw-A-Scientist Test. Science and Children, 67(2), 255–265.
Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Academic press.
Coleman, L. J., & Cross, T. L. (2021). Being gifted in school: An introduction to development, guidance, and teaching. Routledge.
Dai, D. Y. (2019). Toward a new era of gifted education: Principles, policies, and strategies. Talent, 9(1), 2-15. Retrieved from https://theeducationjournals.com/index.php/talent/article/view/68
Demir, C. E. (2007). Metaphors as a reflection of middle school students' perceptions of school: A cross-cultural analysis. Educational Research and Evaluation, 13(2), 89-107. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803610701204099
Dixson, D. D., Olszewski‐Kubilius, P., Subotnik, R. F., & Worrell, F. C. (2020). Developing academic talent as a practicing school psychologist: From potential to expertise. Psychology in the Schools, 57(10), 1582-1595. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22363
Doğan, H. (2015). A study on 11 to 13 year old students’ perception of science and scientist from different countries [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Akdeniz University.
Emvalotis, A., & Koutsianou, A. (2018). Greek primary school students’ images of scientists and their work: has anything changed?. Research in Science & Technological Education, 36(1), 69-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2017.1366899
Farland‐Smith, D., Finson, K. D., & Arquette, C. M. (2017). How picture books on the national science teacher's association recommend list portray scientists. School Science and Mathematics, 117(6), 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12231
Finson, K. D. (2002). Drawing a scientist: What we do and do not know after fifty years of drawings. School Science and Mathematics, 102(7), 335-345. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.2002.tb18217.x
Finson, K. D., Beaver, J. B., & Cramond, B. L. (1995). Development and field test of a checklist for the Draw-A-Scientist Test. School Science and Mathematics, 95(4), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.1995.tb157 62.x
Gomez-Arizaga, M. P., Valdivia-Lefort, M., Castillo-Hermosilla, H., Hébert, T. P., & Conejeros-Solar, M. L. (2020). Tales from within: Gifted students’ lived experiences with teaching practices in regular classrooms. Education Sciences, 10(5), 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10050137
Hong, H.-Y., & Lin-Siegler, X. (2012). How learning about scientists' struggles influences students' interest and learning in physics. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(2), 469–484. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026224
Hu, W., & Adey, P. (2002). A scientific creativity test for secondary school students. International Journal of Science Education, 24(4), 389-403. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690110098912
Huang, Y., Ko, J., Lin, H., Dai, H., & Chen, C. (2021). Creative thinking counseling teaching program can improve the creativity, creative tendency, and self-concept of grade 7 students: A quasi-experimental study. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 55(3), 819-838. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.491
Huberman, M., & Miles, M. B. (2002). The qualitative researcher’s companion. Sage.
Hunsaker, S. L., Nielsen, A., & Bartlett, B. (2010). Correlates of teacher practices influencing student outcomes in reading instruction for advanced readers. Gifted Child Quarterly, 54(4), 273-282. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986210374506
Kaufman, S. B., & Sternberg, R. J. (2008). Conceptions of Giftedness. In S. I. Pfeiffer (Ed.), Handbook of Giftedness in Children (pp. 71–93). Springer.
Kim, K. H. (2011). The creativity crisis: The decrease in creative thinking scores on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Creativity Research Journal, 23(4), 285-295. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2011.627805
Kim, S. L., & Kim, D. (2021). English learners’ science-literacy practice through explicit writing instruction in invention-based learning. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 2, 100029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2020.100029
Koren, P., & Bar, V. (2009). Pupils’ image of ‘the scientist’ among two communities in Israel: A comparative study. International Journal of Science Education, 31(18), 2485-2509. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690802449375
Lawley, J., & Tompkins, P. (2000). Metaphors in mind: Transformation through symbolic modelling. Developing Company Press.
Leblebicioglu, G., Metin, D., Yardimci, E., & Cetin, P. S. (2011). The effect of informal and formal interaction between scientists and children at a science camp on their images of scientists. Science Education International, 22(3), 158-174.
Mayo, J. A. (2001). Using analogies to teach conceptual applications of developmental theories. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 14(3), 187-213. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720530126292
McClain, M., & Pfeiffer, S. (2012). Identification of gifted students in the United States today: A look at state definitions, policies, and practices. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 28, 59–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377903.2012.643757
Menia, M., Mudzakir, A., & Rochintaniawati, D. (2017, May). The effect of conceptual metaphors through guided inquiry on student’s conceptual change. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1848, No. 1). AIP Publishing.
Ministery of National Education (MoNE) (2022). Science and art centers student identification and placement guide. Retrieved from https://orgm.meb.gov.tr/meb_iys_dosyalar/2021_12/30144032_2021-2022_YILI_BILIM_VE_SANAT_MERKEZLERI_OGRENCI_TANILAMA_VE_YERLESTIRME_KILAVUZU.pdf
Ministery of National Education (MoNE) (2022). Special education area. Retrieved from http://orgm.meb.gov.tr/www/ozel-egitim-alani/icerik/1951
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) (2022). What is Giftedness? Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/what-giftedness
O’Donnell, C. L. (2008). Defining, conceptualizing, and measuring fidelity of implementation and its relationship to outcomes in K–12 curriculum intervention research. Review of Educational Research, 78(1), 33-84. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654307313793
Painter, J., Jones, M. G., Tretter, T. R., & Kubasko, D. (2006). Pulling back the curtain: Uncovering and changing students' perceptions of scientists. School Science and Mathematics, 106(4), 181-190. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.2006.tb18074.x
Peterson, J. S. (2015). School counselors and gifted kids: Respecting both cognitive and affective. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93(2), 153-162. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2015.00191.x
Peterson, J. S. (2019). Presenting a qualitative study: A reviewer’s perspective. Gifted Child Quarterly, 63(3), 147-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986219844789
Piatek-Jimenez, K., Cribbs, J., & Gill, N. (2018). College students’ perceptions of gender stereotypes: Making connections to the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. International Journal of Science Education, 40(12), 1432-1454. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2018.1482027
Purcell, J. H., Burns, D. E., Tomlinson, C. A., Imbeau, M. B., & Martin, J. L. (2002). Bridging the gap: A tool and technique to analyze and evaluate gifted education curricular units. Gifted Child Quarterly, 46(4), 306-321. https://doi.org/10.1177/001698620204600407
Rasul, M. S., Zahriman, N., Halim, L., Rauf, R. A., & Amnah, R. (2018). Impact of integrated STEM smart communities program on students scientific creativity. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 13(11), 80-89.
Reis, S. M., & Purcell, J. H. (1993). An analysis of content elimination and strategies used by elementary classroom teachers in the curriculum compacting process. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 16(2), 147-170.
Renzulli, J. S., & Reis, S. M. (2021). The Three Ring Conception of Giftedness: A Change in Direction from Being Gifted to the Development of Gifted Behaviors. In: Sternberg, R.J., Ambrose, D. (eds) Conceptions of Giftedness and Talent. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56869-6_19
Rinn, A. N., & Bishop, J. (2015). Gifted adults: A systematic review and analysis of the literature. Gifted Child Quarterly, 59(4), 213-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986215600795
Ruiz-Mallén, I., Gallois, S., & Heras, M. (2018). From white lab coats and crazy hair to actual scientists: Exploring the impact of researcher interaction and performing arts on students’ perceptions and motivation for science. Science communication, 40(6), 749-777. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547018808025
Runco, M. A. (2004). Creativity. Annual Review of Psychology, 55(1), 657–687. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141502
Samardzija, N., & Peterson, J. S. (2015). Learning and classroom preferences of gifted eighth graders: A qualitative study. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 38(3), 233-256. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162353215592498
Sánchez, L. P., Beltrán Llera, J. A., Barberá, C. G., & Cuesta, J. A. (2007). Gender differences in intelligence and achievement in gifted Spanish children. Gifted and Talented International, 22(2), 96-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332276.2007.11673500
Santanen, E. L., Briggs, R. O., & Vreede, G. J. D. (2004). Causal relationships in creative problem solving: Comparing facilitation interventions for ideation. Journal of Management Information Systems, 20(4), 167-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2004.11045783
Şaşmaz Ören, F., Karapinar, A., Sari, K., & Demirer, T. (2023). The effect of scenario-based learning on 8th grade students’ perceptions of scientists. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 13(1), 9-122. https://doi.org/10.5590/JERAP.2023.13.1.09
Scherz, Z., & Oren, M. (2006). How to change students' images of science and technology. Science Education, 90(6), 965-985. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20159
Shimwell, J., DeWitt, J., Davenport, C., Padwick, A., Sanderson, J., & Strachan, R. (2023). Scientist of the week: Evaluating effects of a teacher-led STEM intervention to reduce stereotypical views of scientists in young children. Research in Science & Technological Education, 41(2), 423-443. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2021.19418
Shin, S. Y., Parker, L. C., Adedokun, O., Mennonno, A., Wackerly, A., & San Miguel, S. (2015). Changes in elementary student perceptions of science, scientists, and science careers after participating in a curricular module on health and veterinary science. School Science and Mathematics, 115(6), 271-280. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12129
Siew, N. M., Chin, M. K., & Sombuling, A. (2017). The effects of problem based learning with cooperative learning on preschoolers’ scientific creativity. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 16(1), 100-112.
Starko, A. J. (2021). Creativity in the classroom: Schools of curious delight. Routledge.
Steenbergen-Hu, S., Olszewski-Kubilius, P., & Calvert, E. (2020). The effectiveness of current interventions to reverse the underachievement of gifted students: Findings of a meta-analysis and systematic review. Gifted Child Quarterly, 64(2), 132-165. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986220908601
Sternberg, R. J. (2005). The WICS model of giftedness. In R. J. Sternberg & J. E. Davidson (Eds.), Conceptions of giftedness (2nd ed., pp. 327–343). Cambridge University Press.
Subotnik, R. F., Olszewski-Kubilius, P., Corwith, S., Calvert, E., & Worrell, F. C. (2023). Transforming gifted education in schools: Practical applications of a comprehensive framework for developing academic talent. Education Sciences, 13(7), 707. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13070707
Sun, M., Wang, M., & Wegerif, R. (2020). Effects of divergent thinking training on students’ scientific creativity: The impact of individual creative potential and domain knowledge. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 37, 100682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100682
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2012). Using multivariate statistics. Pearson.
Tomlinson, C. A. (2001). How to differentiate instruction in mixed-ability classrooms. Ascd.
VanTassel-Baska, J., & Brown, E. F. (2007). Toward best practice: An analysis of the efficacy of curriculum models in gifted education. Gifted Child Quarterly, 51(4), 342-358. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986207306323
VanTassel-Baska, J., & Reis, S. M. (2003). Curriculum for gifted and talented students. Corwin Press.
VanTassel-Baska, J., Bass, G., Ries, R., Poland, D., & Avery, L. D. (1998). A national study of science curriculum effectiveness with high ability students. Gifted Child Quarterly, 42(4), 200–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/001698629804200404
Wormeli, R. (2009). Metaphors & analogies: Power tools for teaching any subject. Stenhouse Publishers.
Worrell, F. C., Subotnik, R. F., Olszewski-Kubilius, P., & Dixson, D. D. (2019). Gifted students. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 551-576. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-102846
Yakar, A. (2016). Model proposals of curriculum and instructional design on future education: “Vital curriculum” and “vital instructional design”. MSKU Journal of Education, 3(2), 1-15. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/muefd/issue/40190/478484
Yang, K. K., Lin, S. F., Hong, Z. R., & Lin, H. S. (2016). Exploring the assessment of and relationship between elementary students’ scientific creativity and science inquiry. Creativity Research Journal, 28(1), 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2016.1125270
Yang, W., & Siegle, D. (2006). Curriculum compacting: The best way to bridge the education of school-house giftedness and creative/productive giftedness in China. Gifted Education International, 22(1), 101-107. https://doi.org/10.1177/026142940602200113
Additional Files
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Leyla Ayverdi, Derya Girgin, İsmail Satmaz, Eylem Yalçınkaya Önder
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.