Microorganisms in Primary Education. Conceptions in children from 8 to 11 years old and influence of the textbooks

Abstract

The relevance of microorganisms in the biosphere and their growing applications in different areas make them an essential content for schoolchildren. This research, through the use of drawing and open questions, analyzes the preconceptions that students aged between 8 and 11 have on microorganisms. A set of 12 Natural Science textbooks for students in that age group are also reviewed, checking how this topic is addressed. Findings show a negative and limited view of microorganisms, coinciding largely with the way in which this subject is approached in the different publishers. All of this may have implications for planning and sequencing the microbiology contents, in order to give a wider and more balanced view of microorganisms’ harms and goods.