Developing Children's Observation Skills Using a Fractal Pattern from Nature

YÜRÜMEZOĞLU K., Cin M. O.

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES-PROJECTS AND CURRICULUM IDEAS IN STEM CLASSROOMS, vol.56, no.2, pp.63-73, 2019 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 56 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/00368121.2019.1696734
  • Journal Name: SCIENCE ACTIVITIES-PROJECTS AND CURRICULUM IDEAS IN STEM CLASSROOMS
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)
  • Page Numbers: pp.63-73
  • Keywords: Natural, spontaneous observation, sequential activities, scientific observation, fractal patterns, thorny burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum L, )
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study aimed to support the development of the scientific observation skills of children at an early age using a pattern selected from nearby nature. For this purpose, a simple, innovative and authentic observation activity was designed using thorny burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum L.), a plant unique to the Mediterranean region. The activity was conducted in a preschool institution with six-year-old children in the class hours of a weekly science course in three different environments (in-class, out-of-class, and out-of-school), and seven stages. In this activity, which aimed to transform children's natural/spontaneous observation skills into scientific observation skills, patterns were revealed through systematic and sequential observation and drawings. At the end of the activity, it was found that the children had developed skills related to breaking a whole into its parts and putting the parts together according to patterns, making detailed observations, and systematic data collection, and they successfully implemented these skills outside the classroom and school.