This book explores teaching and learning through science investigation and practical work. It draws upon two representative case studies from New Zealand and examines what students are learning from science investigation; in addition, it identifies and describes ways in which teachers can make changes that benefit student learning when given time to reflect and respond to research literature and findings. The book illustrates how teaching through science investigations in ways that are informed by research can lead to positive learning outcomes for students. As such, it offers valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and educators with an interest in learning through science investigation.

This book reports the findings of an interpretive case study of the phenomenon of science investigation (science inquiry) from students' perspective. Data were collected from a class of twenty-four Year 11 students in a middle size, co-educational New Zealand school, through Science Laboratory Environment Inventory, student questionnaires, focus group interviews and classroom observations. The participants provided some insightful comments about their learning of science investigation. Illustrative examples highlight; what students found motivational and what demotivated them, what and how they learnt through carrying out science investigation, and how internal assessment influenced their motivation to learn and learning. The connectedness between the complexities of learning science investigation and how motivation, and assessment influenced these 15 year old students' learning is discussed.

This book presents the findings of two case studies in the 'Making Connections' two-year project funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Education. It shows how science literacy was improved in a state coeducational school with Pacific Island students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This book details ideas and strategies relevant to schools where English literacy has an impact on the science engagement and achievement of ethnically diverse student populations. It also presents the teaching as inquiry model and its usage by teachers to improve aspects of their teaching strategies.

This book presents the findings of a case study conducted in a Maori medium school where a space was created for Putaiao (Western science) teaching and learning from year 1 to 13. Science is currently taught in Te Reo Maori in primary school and in English in secondary school, and evidence suggests that students are engaging in science education, learning to investigate, and achieving in science. In New Zealand, most students attend English medium state schools; however, approximately 15% of indegenous students attend Maori medium schools. These schools are underpinned with Kura Kaupapa Maori philosophy, which is culturally specific to Maori and aims to revitalise the Maori language, and Maori knowledge and culture. Maori students' engagement and achievement continues to be a challenge for both mainstream and Maori medium schools, teachers and students due to lack of access to science teachers who can teach in Te Reo Maori. School leaders and whanau (families) believed that by year 9 (age 13) their students had developed their identity as Maori, and were proficient in Te Reo Maori. They wanted their students to have the option to learn science, experience success and have the choice to conitnue in science, so they made the difficult decision for science to be taught in English in secondary school. The book discusses how teachers in indigenous schools, who have extensive knowledge of culture and context specific pedagogies, can gain confidence to teach science through collaboration with and support from researchers with whom they have developed strong professional relationships.

This book explores teaching and learning through science investigation and practical work. It draws upon two representative case studies from New Zealand and examines what students are learning from science investigation; in addition, it identifies and describes ways in which teachers can make changes that benefit student learning when given time to reflect and respond to research literature and findings. The book illustrates how teaching through science investigations in ways that are informed by research can lead to positive learning outcomes for students. As such, it offers valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and educators with an interest in learning through science investigation.