Investigating the opportunities for developing Science Process Skills in learners: A study of food tests practical work

Abstract

Science process skills are fundamentally crucial in the context of science education. Teachers play an important role for creating opportunities for learners to develop their science process skills. This study aimed to investigate the opportunities for developing science process skills in learners during food tests practical work, a topic covered in Grade 10 Life Sciences. One school was purposively sampled. The study sought to answer one main question and three sub-questions. Participants of this study included one Life Sciences teacher who facilitated one practical lesson of four food tests investigations to a class of 17 Grade 10 Life Sciences learners. A qualitative method approach was used, and it allowed for diverse data sources to ensure validity and reliability. The data sources used were document analyses, video recording of the practical lesson and the teacher’s interview. Science process skills approach, constructivism and pedagogical content knowledge were used as theoretical frameworks to underpin the study. The analysis of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) indicated that there are ten science process skills that should be developed in learners through doing Life Sciences. These science process skills are observing, measuring, classifying, communicating, controlling variables, hypothesising, experimentation and data interpreting. Of these science process skills seven can be developed through food tests practical work. In this study minimal opportunities were provided for developing science process skills in learners during food tests practical work. This study showed that when practical work is not well structured as a scientific inquiry-based investigation, there will be limited opportunities for developing science process skills in learners. The study provided insights into the extent in which practical work as a teaching and learning strategy could be used to develop science process skills in learners. Key words: science process skills, practical work, demonstration, food test