PROJECT APPROACH IN SCIENCE: AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness in implementing Project Approach (PA) among year one pupils. The focus of this study is to identify pupils’ alternative concepts while implementing PA in the chosen science topic. An exploratory case study research design and purposeful sampling was employed in a year one classroom consisting of 22 pupils from different background and abilities. In this study, PA was used as a teaching and learning approach, whereby pupils carried out science projects according to the phases in PA. This study employed observations, interviews and document analysis techniques to collect data. Through the projects, the study found that PA was able to elicit pupils’ alternative concepts related to float and sink through representations in the form of drawings and verbal interactions which were recorded. This study provides implications on teaching and learning that pupils’ prior knowledge needs to be take in consideration in ensuring the formation of scientific concepts.