Elevers inställning till skolans naturvetenskap i årskurs 4 och 8 : Exempel från två mindre skolor på tidigt 2000-tal

Sammanfattning

The purpose of this study is to examine students' perceptions and attitudes towards science subjects in Swedish primary and lower secondary schools, focusing on grades 4 and 8. The study explores how students experience subjects such as biology, physics, and chemistry, and identifies factors influencing their interest and engagement. A qualitative approach was employed, based on interviews and questionnaires analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that students in grade 4 are generally curious and positive, particularly towards biology, while students in grade 8 demonstrate decreased interest, especially in physics and chemistry, often perceived as difficult and abstract. The study concludes that practical, varied, and engaging teaching methods are crucial for maintaining students' interest in science over time. Keywords: science education, students’ attitudes, interest, primary school, teaching methods