The Factors Affecting Proactive Inquiry Activities in Super Science High School (SSH): A Case Study at Tamagawa Academy

Abstract

In the Super Science High School (SSH) project, which has been promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) since 2002, learners are expected to be proactive in their inquiry activities. In this study, we conducted a survey aimed at clarifying the factors that influence such inquiry activities in SSH. As a result of analyzing questionnaires administered to a total of 714 lower and upper secondary school students, three main factors that influence proactive inquiry activities in SSH were revealed: acceptance by others, mastery experience, and self-efficacy. Based on the results of this study, it is thought that enhancing self-efficacy through repeated mastery experiences while fostering a learning atmosphere in which students are accepted by others, will lead to further successful developments in proactive inquiry activities in SSH.