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J. Korean Soc. People Plants Environ. 2011;14(6):429-436. Published online December 30, 2011.
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- Abstract
- This study was conducted to examine the effect of activities growing and observing plants using plant kit on the interest in science and understanding of plant life cycle in elementary school students. The plant kit was designed for practical learning of the science curriculum ‘plant life cycle’ in 1st semester of 4th grade. It was supplied to each 4th grade student of two classes in two different elementary schools in Seoul. Students in the experimental group used plant kit for their science curriculum ‘plant life cycle’. The one class used it in classroom and the other class used it out of classroom. In contrast, students in the control group were taught science as usual. The plant kit consisted of wick irrigating pot, wick, seeds, artificial soil, and observation diary. The irrigation pot was made with transparent material which makes it possible to observe germination process and root development. There was no statistical significance in science interest score between experimental group and control group. Students in the experimental group score significantly higher on the understanding of plant life cycle compared to the students in control group. After separating the data into the activity sites, indoor and outdoor, the activity using plant kit was more effective as a teaching method in raising science achievement scores when it was used indoor compared to outdoor.
Keywords :Elementary school;Horticultural activities;Horticultural therapy;Plant cultivation;School farm
