T-CEL member Katharina Nave successfully defended her PhD thesis on July 12!
She has investigated in more detail how hypothesis formation can be described. To do this, she showed selected phenomena via videos, conducted focus groups and interviews, and had concept maps made. In this qualitative study, she was able to show that our model for describing mental models (SIMBA) is suitable for describing these processes and showed a first approach to also promote these processes towards hypothesis formation.
Many students were not allowed to attend school during the Corona lockdowns, and the natural science subjects, which actually rely on experimentation as a method of gaining knowledge, had to resort to digital solutions or "kitchen chemistry". Some things can be absorbed in this way, but many things cannot!
T-CEL offers in cooperation with the Humboldt-ProMINT Kolleg this year several one-week vacation courses for students, in which they can catch up deficits in their experimentation skills. The next course is planned for the end of the summer vacations (Berlin) and for the autumn vacations (Berlin). They will take place at T-CEL's locations and are aimed at students in grades 7-10.
For more information, please contact us!
Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Tiemann
Head of the Chemistry Education Lab
The research program of the Tiemann Chemistry Education Lab has a strong commitment to knowledge acquisition by problem solving. In quantitative studies with technology based tools the focus is on describing, assessing and supporting the fundamental mechanisms behind this process.
"We only think when we are confronted with problems."
(John Dewey)
Combined with the use of experiments and the use of mental models to understand core concepts of Chemistry, the research program empowers the Tiemann Chemistry Education Lab, theory-driven and empirically, to investigate students' thinking individually or in classrooms. Alumni group members serve as Professors, for Science Outreach Organizations or as Chemistry Teachers.
The Chemistry Education Lab at Humboldt-University serves more than 100 students at K-12 (Sekundarstufe) and primary level (Primarstufe) each year through a diverse portfolio of theoretical background knowledge and first practical learning experiences.
From students for students (in german): Video
The professional learning program is designed to improve the skills and competencies in creating innovative learning environments and to learn first teaching experiences. Up to 10 students per year have the chance to finish their studies in T-CEL with a thesis (M.Ed.).
From students for students (in german): Video