Climate change and the change of models of students’thinking

Abstract

In this paper we addresses the models of students’ thinking about the greenhouse effect. The participants are 22 secondary students. The instrument consisted of a questionnaire focused on the process, causes, consequences and strategies to stop the increment of green house effect. The students’ responses before and after instruction were analyzed and the models of students’ thinking were inferred. The results indicate certain evolution of the models of students’ thinking. However, the initial models with strong consistency for individuals, served as structures to accommodate new information, but no alternative explanation models was substantially altered. The main teaching implications are discussed.