Preconceptions Summary
Student preconceptions (misconceptions, naïve understandings) are important for teachers to uncover, address, challenge and extend. These are commonly held (but not always scientifically accurate) ideas that children bring to the classroom. Students come to school with ideas about the world and science principles because of experiences and observations that have helped to shape those beliefs. Learners hang onto those ideas until multiple experiences cause them to question previously-held beliefs and to form new explanations.
Educators need to discover student preconceptions and be aware of the related scientifically accurate ideas. It is the teacher’s role to facilitate learning experiences that challenge inaccurate ideas, solidify developing ideas, and reinforce and extend scientifically accepted ideas. Knowing student preconceptions helps educators to ask probing questions and craft experiences to move students along to greater science understanding.
Below is a summary of the preconceptions and scientifically accurate ideas related to the Air and Weather unit:
Preconceptions about Clouds:
Clouds go to the ocean to fill up with water.
Scientifically Accepted Idea:
Clouds are formed when water vapor condenses onto dust and other particles in the air. The water vapor in the air is created by water evaporating off the Earth’s surface and respiration of plants and animals.
Preconceptions about Clouds:
God makes clouds and rain.
Clouds come from somewhere in the sky.
Clouds are made in factories.
Clouds hold water like sponges.
Scientifically Accepted Idea:
A cloud is made mainly of tiny water droplets and/or tiny ice crystals. It is not water vapor.
Preconceptions about Clouds:
Clouds move as we move.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Clouds move when the wind blows them.
Preconceptions about Clouds:
Clouds predict rain.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Clouds are necessary for rain but are not predictors of rain. Just because there are clouds does not mean it will rain.
Preconceptions about Rain:
Raindrops resemble teardrops.
Scientifically Accepted Idea:
The shape of raindrops is based on the surface tension of water and the air pressure pushing up on the drop as it falls.
Preconceptions about Rain:
When clouds evaporate rain begins to fall.
Rain comes out of holes in clouds.
Rain is clouds sweating.
Rain is caused by clouds melting.
Clouds are bags of water that are kept high in the sky; when they collide, they rip open and water falls out.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
When water droplets in the clouds become too heavy to stay airborne rain begins to fall.
Preconceptions about Rain:
Rain falls when we need it.
Rain falls when clouds get shaken.
When clouds are too heavy rain falls.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
It rains whether or not we need it to or want it to. It rains when water droplets are too heavy to remain airborne. When this happens they fall from the clouds.
Preconceptions about the atmosphere and gases:
Air is not the same everywhere. The air in a room is different than the air outside or the air in a container.
Air is the same thing as oxygen.
Scientifically Accepted Idea:
Air is a mixture of gases.
Preconceptions about the atmosphere and gases:
Only moving air puts forth force/pressure.
Gases can only exert force if a force is placed upon them.
Gases can exert force in one direction.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Air exerts pressure in all directions.
Preconceptions about the atmosphere and gases:
Air is not matter because it is invisible.
Air has no weight.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Air has mass and takes up space.
Preconceptions about the atmosphere and gases:
The atmosphere is made up of air.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
There are many tiny particles present in the atmosphere.
Preconceptions about the atmosphere and gases:
Everything moves when it is blown on.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
When blowing occurs this creates faster moving air which has lower air pressure. When this happens things will move from high pressure areas into low pressure areas.
Preconceptions about the seasons:
The Earth’s distance from the Sun is what causes the seasons to occur.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
The seasons are a result of the Earth’s alignment on its axis.
