Actual condition of outdoor observation of strata in science classes of elementary and junior high schools

Abstract

To clarify the actual condition of outdoor observation of strata in science classes of elementary and junior high schools, I investigated the situation of enforcement of outdoor observation in 15 districts of Japan, the reasons why teachers could not implement outdoor observation, and the teachers’ points of view on outdoor observation. As a result, it became evident that the enforcement rate was different in each district, ranging from 0% to 50% in elementary schools and 0% to 71% in junior high schools. The different enforcement rates in elementary schools were attributed to the geological conditions of the districts. The teachers who could not implement the observation cited lack of adequate outcrops, short school hours for observation, and the absence of means of transportation to the outcrop as the reasons for the non-implementation of outdoor observation. Instead of outdoor observation, teachers in a few schools took their students on visits to exhibitions in museums. The ratio of teachers who understand the importance of outdoor observation is about 90% in elementary schools and 80% in junior high schools. In contrast, the ratio of teachers who implemented the observation is about 30% in elementary schools and 50% in junior high schools. Many teachers expected support from researchers in terms of introducing the observation place and participating in their classes as guest teachers.