Problem Statement

Students’ motivation plays a crucial role in science education. Cognitive motivation of students can be based on experiments. Science educators create interesting school experiments but they usually do not think about correct implementation of the experiments in science instruction. School experiment should consist of three parts: correct presentation of scientific phenomena, technical and safety considerations, and appropriate methods for learning. If teacher uses the wrong method with an experiment, he/she do not achieve the desired educational objectives.

Purpose of Study

Selection of appropriate science school experiments and their implementation into teaching/learning are the main our research tasks. Our research questions are:

What motivational role do experiments play in science education?

What kinds of experiments are appropriate for motivation of students?

Methods

The first research question was answered by use of the video-study method and questionnaire.

The second research question was answered by use design-based research.

Findings and Results

We have found out unsatisfactory results that implementation of experiments in instruction is insufficient. Our design-based research has proved strong motivational effectiveness of simple experiments which can be used in several cognitive motivational teaching techniques. Concrete examples of applications of these experiments in teaching science are presented.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Motivational experiments can be applied in science education namely in the primary and lower secondary schools level. These experiments can support non-gifted students and can help identify and develop students gifted in science. The results of our research can be used in science teacher training.