The Concept of Elementary Science Teachers on Matter and Properties of Matter

Abstract

     This study was aimed to explore elementary science teachers' concepts about Matter and Properties of Matter. The subjects of this study consisted of fifteen elementary science teachers from all ten large elementary schools in the Second Educational Area, Nonthaburi province. The instrument was a questionnaire of five open-ended questions regarding matter, molecular state of matter, conservation of matter, physical and chemical change and separation of mixture. The findings indicated that elementary science teachers had alternative concepts in all above topics. Teachers had the most alternative concept in molecular state of matter and physical and chemical changes. For these two topics, none of teachers had correct scienctific concept. The least alternative concept was conservation of matter. The results suggested science educators about the need for planning science professional development experiences which can develop teachers' science content knowledge for effective science teaching.