What do junior science teacher students think about chemistry?

Abstract

This study aims to identify the perspectives of junior elementary science teacher students towards chemistry as a science. To accomplish this reason, 51 first year science teacher students studying in one of the governmental universities in the west part of Turkey were included in a survey investigation. Students’ habits, daily life concerns, wonders and initial considerations related to chemistry were collected with an instrument developed by the researchers. Descriptive statistics method and content analysis were utilized to analyze data. The findings represent a whole picture of the participants’ habits, daily life concerns, wonders and considerations related to chemistry. Based on the findings, a number of suggestions will be provided for science educators which will be beneficial to improve the vision of junior teacher students in terms of chemistry aspect beginning from their first year in the university to increase their academic success and to contribute their future occupational needs.