Integrated science and biology education as viewed by Czech university students and their attitude to inquiry-based scientific education

Abstract

The article is focused on the Czech university students’ attitudes to integrated science at elementary school and biology at secondary school and their experiences with inquiry-based scientific education (IBSE) of these subjects. Results show students’ opinions about teaching methods in nature science education and the direction in which it would be beneficial to aim he future teaching and learning process in Czech educational environment. Our results show that the main reason for integrated science or biology to gain popularity is teacher personality, implementation of field work and usefulness of gained knowledge in everyday life. Respondents’ answers revealed that the new educational methods, e.g. IBSE, could have a positive effect on students’ approach to natural science subjects.