Fieldwork resource pack as a tool in the teaching of chemistry and education for sustainability in secondary schools

Abstract

Recent studies have shown a decline in the number of students that choose to study Chemistry, at Secondary level. A number of researchers (Gröger, Teaching chemistry in near-natural learning environments to address sustainability, 2013; Höper and Köller, Int J Math Sci Technol Educ 6(2), 2018; Höper et al., Chem Educ Res Pract 23:361–372, 2022) believe that since the environment can provide a context for learning, relocating lessons from the classroom and the laboratory into nature, can increase student motivation and improve sustainability competences in students. A mixed-methods approach was used to investigate teachers’ and students’ perceptions on the pedagogical effectiveness of fieldwork in Chemistry at Secondary level and if such an inquiry-based learning activity offers benefits, that cannot be achieved via laboratory experiments. The challenges that teachers face when organizing fieldwork were also investigated. The Fieldwork Pack, compiled as part of this study, was evaluated both for its usefulness in increasing effective learning and also in its approach to sustainability. Results indicate that both teachers and students endorse the idea of fieldwork in Chemistry, however unlike students, the majority of teachers did not agree that it should be compulsory. Respondents believe that working in-situ during field excursions allows students to achieve transferable skills, which cannot be attained through laboratory experiments. Furthermore, Chemistry fieldwork plays an important role in educating the future generations about the importance of environmental sustainability. Despite the benefits, fieldwork is time-consuming and difficult to fit in the curriculum, which discourages teachers from conducting fieldwork. In response to these findings, a number of recommendations are drawn up to further enhance the effectiveness of fieldwork in teaching Chemistry and to infuse Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles in Chemistry education.