Pool-scAN: Experimental Setup for Student-Oriented Wet-Chemical Analysis to Detect Pool Chemicals in Pool Water within a Game-Based Inquiry Learning Approach

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Inquiry-based learning (IBL) has already proven to be an effective approach to promote scientific inquiry skills. However, its implementation in school practice faces several persistent challenges such as limited time, necessary support measures for students, difficulties in assessment or rigid curricula. To address these barriers, a novel experimental setting─Pool-scAN─in a game-based inquiry learning (GBIL) approach was developed for upper secondary chemistry education. In this setting, students investigate a fictional murder case with integrated supportive game elements (e.g. story, feedback, competition, guidance) as forensic scientists through qualitative and quantitative wet-chemical analyses of highly authentic pool water samples. The setting was evaluated with n = 51 high school students in Germany using a pre-post design based on an adapted R-Comp questionnaire assessing research competence according to the RMRC-K model. Results revealed a highly significant improvement in students’ perceived overall research competence ( d = 1.163***) across all subscales, with the largest effect observed for domain knowledge. Considering the limitations of self-assessments, findings indicate that game-based learning combined with inquiry-based learning is beneficial for research competence development. Furthermore, the results suggest that the adapted R-Comp questionnaire could enable a simple and quick assessment of research competence in schools. On the other hand, an effective experimental learning environment on the topic of wet chemical analysis was developed using the novel context of pool chemistry in the game-based inquiry learning approach. For this reason, the specific influence of game-based learning on research competence and other variables such as motivation or cognitive load of students within the learning environment will be examined in more detail in further studies.