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Faculty of Education  Professor of Science Education, Vaille Dawson and Faculty Centenary Ambassador Dr Simon Moore’s research paper titled “Probing Year 11 physics students’ understanding of gravitation” has been recognised by the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) at CONASTA the annual National Science Education Conference of ASTA held in Brisbane (3-6 July).

Receiving the first runner up award for the most valuable paper in 2015, the study examined how the prior knowledge students bring to their science learning can impact on their ability to learn and understand new concepts.  These naïve understandings are called ‘alternative conceptions’ and occur amongst learners from all cultures.

To understand alternative conceptions held by students, the study analysed the responses received from a questionnaire on gravitation given to a group of Year 11 physics students.  Findings showed that these Year 11 physics students who have chosen to study physics and thus presumably have some interest and ability in physics still held alternative conceptions usually found in middle school.

“Despite the efforts of educational researchers, curriculum writers and developers little has changed,” says Professor Dawson.

The award was based on the research paper’s potential to contribute to the practice of science teaching.

The research paper was published in ASTA’s flagship journal “Teaching Science” which is distributed national wide.

Professor Vaille Dawson is a science education researcher and scholar who is committed to improving young people’s learning in school science.  Her key research areas are scientific literacy, argumentation and decision-making about socio-scientific issues and biotechnology education.

Dr Simon Moore teaches Mathematics at Shenton College in Perth. He studied Physics and Engineering at UWA before completing a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering. Before becoming a teacher Simon worked in the fields of architectural acoustic design, medical imaging research, and financial portfolio risk management. He was previously a lecturer in Medical Physics at RMIT University, Melbourne and a research associate at Imperial College, London.

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