Sequences of question-prediction-testing to learn about the states of matter in Preschool Education

Abstract

Although not without difficulties and constrains, inquiry-based learning is currently considered one of the most suitable approaches when it is intended that children learn science by doing science. In order to promote this educational approach in Preschool Education, it was designed a teaching intervention through sequences of question-prediction-testing. It was implemented with 83 children 2 to 4 years old. The purpose of this experience was to use the inquiry-based learning model to initiate children in science. The chosen science content was related with changes of state of water, chocolate and ice pops. An evolution in the children´s ideas and abilities to formulate predictions and to test them via experimentation was found. It is concluded that it is possible to learn about the effects of the actions «to heat» and «to chill» in the changes of the matter in solids and liquids. Many children can identify the characteristics of each product depending of its state of matter. Consequently, it is suggested to foster manipulative activities through formulating questions and asking for predictions from the beginning of Preschool Education.