A CHAT Approach of Light and Colors in Science Teaching for the Early Grades

Abstract

This article describes a research study on the connection of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) with Science Education in the early grades. The research study took place in the University of Ioannina, Greece with the support of the @fise research group. Within this frame, a narrative about light, colors and shadows was written as part of an Innovative Science Curriculum for the early grades. As a next step, the narrative was turned to a 20 minute animation in the scratch program and a series of science activities about light, colors and shadows were designed. The Science Curriculum was implemented in 4 pre-primary school classrooms. Research data included observations, field notes, video recordings, interviews and classroom materials. All collected data were analyzed through the Nvivo9 qualitative research software. Results have shown that CHAT is a promising field for Science Education in the early grades as pupils participate in meaningful cultural activities and receive guidance for improving or appropriating actions. In this sense learning of scientific concepts has been proved a creative component of methods, interactions and social practices. All in all, CHAT offers the potential to participate in meaningful cultural activities and receive scaffolding for improving of actions towards an inspiring object into the whole activity system. (As Provided)