The research aim was to identify the effect of revising the thematic unit “Changes in Chemical Reactions” using IBSE (based on confirmation inquiry) in the 8th grade of secondary school. This thematic unit is taught in chemistry lessons in the 2nd term of the 7th grade. A set of activities verified by a piece of pilot research was used to implement IBSE based on confirmation inquiry using the 5E Educational Model. The research was performed in ten Slovak secondary schools during the 1st term of the 2017/2018 school year. This research employed the quasi-experimental methodology involving pre-test–post-test two-group design. The research sample consisted of 292 8th grade students. They were divided randomly into a control (n=149) and experimental (n=143) group, and the intervention took place during 10 lessons. Cognitive tests based on the revised Bloom's taxonomy were used to measure students’ knowledge and skills before and after revision. The results indicate that using IBSE (based on confirmation inquiry) in the revision phase is more effective than teaching without using IBSE in terms of developing conceptual understanding. It affects the lower and higher cognitive processes (understanding, application, and analysis) and stimulates learning mainly in students with lower academic performance. Keywords: chemistry education, cognitive processes, confirmation inquiry, secondary school.

The research aim was to examine the effect of the 5E instructional model on students’ cognitive processes and attitudes towards chemistry as a subject. The research was performed at three Slovak grammar schools in the 1st year during the 2nd term of the 2021/2022 school year. This research employed the experimental approach with a quasi-experimental design that involved experimental and control groups. The research sample consisted of 218 students, and it was divided into two groups: the experimental group comprised 114 students (who studied using the 5E model) and the control group comprised 104 students (who studied conventionally). The intervention took place during eight lessons (four two-hour laboratory exercises). A set of inquiry-based activities for the “chemical reactions and equations” thematic unit verified via pilot research was implemented using the 5E model in the experimental group. The research used the following tools: the chemistry concepts test based on the revised Bloom’s taxonomy and a questionnaire to identify the attitudes of students towards chemistry as a subject. The chemistry concepts test results indicated that teaching with the 5E model was more effective than teaching without the 5E model in terms of developing cognitive processes. It affected all the observed cognitive processes (memorization, understanding, application, analysis, and evaluation). After teaching with 5E model, students’ attitudes in experimental group towards learning chemistry as a subject changed significantly. Finally, research presents some recommendations, including conducting more studies on 5E model-based strategy, cognitive processes, and attitudes towards science.

Introduction: The research aim was to identify the impact of IBSE in teaching science subjects (biology, physics, and chemistry) on students' attitudes to these subjects, as well as science and technology in general. Methods: The systematic literature review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology, involved an analysis of systematic reviews and empirical studies published between 2015 and 2025. The qualitative meta-analysis focused on the implementation of IBSE in STEM education, examining its effectiveness and impact on students' attitudes toward science subjects, the perceived difficulty and usefulness of these subjects, trust in science, the perceived societal contribution of science and technology, and students' career ambitions in this field. The empirical part of this study presents research conducted with first-year students from five Slovak grammar schools over a 3-month period (November to January) during the 2022/2023 school year. A one-group pre-test–post-test design was used. The research sample consisted of 151 students. The intervention comprised 24 lessons and included 12 inquiry-based activities designed according to the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate). These activities were implemented in teaching three science subjects—physics, chemistry, and biology. A scale questionnaire developed within the ESTABLISH project was used to assess students' attitudes toward science subjects, as well as science and technology, before and after the intervention. Results: After completing the inquiry-based activities, students' attitudes toward science subjects increased significantly across all five subscales. They reported stronger emotional engagement with science subjects (Subscale A; strong effect) and perceived them as less difficult and more useful (Subscale B; strong effect). With regard to science and technology, students expressed greater appreciation of their societal relevance (Subscale C; strong effect), demonstrated increased trust and fewer critical reservations toward scientific knowledge and processes (Subscale D; medium effect), and showed stronger professional aspirations within the field of science and technology (Subscale E; medium to strong effect). Discussion: To enhance students' understanding of the importance of science and technology, additional tasks focusing on STEM and global challenges such as digitalization, climate change, and artificial intelligence should be incorporated into inquiry-based activities.

Hodnotenie má výrazný vplyv na osobnosť žiaka, na proces jeho učenia sa a v konečnom dôsledku i na vytváranie jeho vzťahu k obsahu vyučovacieho predmetu. Národná správa PISA 2015 (NÚCEM, 2017) poukazuje na pokles výkonu žiakov v prírodovednej gramotnosti, pričom najväčšou rizikovou skupinou žiakov sú práve žiaci základných škôl a stredných odborných škôl bez maturity. Pred pedagógmi tak stojí otázka, ako tento stav pozitívne ovplyvniť. Jednou z možností sa javí, na základe mnohých výskumov, formatívne hodnotenie, ktoré má kvalitatívny charakter. Autorky príspevku sa zamerali na zistenie aktuálneho stavu využívania nástrojov hodnotenia vo vyučovaní prírodovedných predmetov. Ako metódu kvantitatívneho výskumu využili dotazník. Príspevok prezentuje čiastkové výsledky výskumu, ktoré poukazujú na značnú prevahu využívania nástrojov sumatívneho hodnotenia nad nástrojmi formatívneho hodnotenia. Respondentmi boli učitelia prírodovedných predmetov základných a stredných škôl na Slovensku.

Information about the paper titled "PREDICTION CARDS AS A FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT TOOL IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION IN THE UPPER GRADES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL" at IATED Digital Library