Investigating the Changes in Attitudes Towards Science Among Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Enrolled in a Science Methods Course Using a New Version of the Test Of Science Related Attitudes

This article examines the changes in student attitudes towards science among pre-service elementary teachers (PSETs), who were enrolled in a science methods course at a large public university in Texas, USA. A new version of the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA) called TOSRA-3 was used to measure six dimensions of attitudes towards science. TOSRA-3 was created in an effort to create a more economical, 35 items versus 70 items, version of the original TOSRA. TOSRA-3 was found to be valid and reliable for use with PSETs. Factor analysis suggests a six scale structure with a Cronbach’s Alpha for each scale ranged from 0.67 to 0.91. Independent sample t-tests and Hedge’s g showed significant gains in three of the six TOSRA-3 scales, namely, Normality of Scientists, Attitudes to Scientific Inquiry, and Leisure and Career Interest in Science. Overall, the study supports that science methods instruction that focuses on constructivist learning theory, hands-on and minds-on learning and the 5E instructional model has a positive effect on the PSETs’ attitudes towards science.