| Abstract: | The reform documents of the 1990s stressed that science is not practiced by a rigid scientific method, but science texts continue to describe the process as if it were rigid and linear. The purpose of this investigation was twofold: (a) to explore middle school in‐service teachers' perceptions of scientific methodology and (b) to explore ways in which their perceptions change as they engage in reflective activities. Thirty‐two masters‐level students participated in an 8‐week summer course, entitled Concepts and Issues in Middle School Science. One ongoing assignment woven throughout the term involved a series of activities designed to help students reflect on their own understanding of science and the scientific enterprise. Data from the initial activity suggested that all students began the course believing that science is done in a simplistic, linear way, as depicted by many textbooks in the review of the scientific methods. However. by the end of the course, many students held a less rigid and more realistic view of the scientific enterprise. This research documents change in teachers' views over time and discusses the implications for science teacher education. |
