Drawing based modeling and simulating in primary school science education

Forty-three eight graders of two intact classrooms of one elementary school participated in a study investigating the extent to which simulating learner created drawings are effective towards the acquisition of domain knowledge, attitude towards science, scientific attitude and self-efficacy in science. Students used SimSketch to model a part of the solar system as a drawing. In the control group students only drew; in the experimental group it was possible to simulate the drawings of the solar system. Domain knowledge, attitude towards science, scientific attitude and self-efficacy were measured. The study showed a positive trend towards above variables between pre- and post-tests and differences between the scores of the control- and experimental group. Only scientific attitude showed a significant improvement between the pre- and post-test. Furthermore, children sometimes showed some misconceptions regarding the solar system. On the whole, the experiences of children working with SimSketch were very positive.