ERIC Number: EJ1435782
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1042-0541
EISSN: EISSN-2162-5212
Assessing the Scientific Literacy in Agriculture of Secondary Agricultural Education Students -- An Exploratory Study
Journal of Agricultural Education, v65 n2 p241-255 2024
This descriptive study explored the science literacy of secondary agricultural education students in the context of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Forty-nine students from Oklahoma were asked of their opinion of GMO products and were then asked to provide a description of how genetic modification occurred. The interviews were recorded and then observed in order to determine students' dimension of scientific literacy as defined by Bybee (1997). A criterion-referenced exam was also administered to assess student's knowledge of GMOs. It was found that students had very little knowledge in both the agriculture and science of GMOs. The overwhelming majority expressed they would consume GMO products, but had an invalid, or no, theory to support that decision. These results are concerning when viewed in relation to the multitude of research indicating that agriculture, as the context for science, leads to critical thinking and depth of understanding. It was recommended that teachers of both science and agriculture focus more on the application of key concepts to develop critical thinking and scientific literacy.
Descriptors: Scientific Literacy, Agricultural Education, Secondary School Students, Genetics, Biotechnology, Food, Criterion Referenced Tests, Student Evaluation, Knowledge Level, Critical Thinking
American Association for Agricultural Education. P.O. Box 7607, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Raleigh, NC 27695. Web site: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Oklahoma
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A