The Vivarium: Maximizing Learning with Living Invertebrates-An Out-of-School Intervention Is more Effective than an...

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Zoology
• Inquiry-Based Learning

Background:

• Living invertebrates offer unique educational opportunities for primary and secondary students.
• Previous research suggests animals can increase student interest, motivation, and academic achievement.
• Out-of-school learning environments, like Vivariums, can supplement traditional classroom instruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of living invertebrates on student achievement and motivation.
• To compare the effectiveness of in-school versus out-of-school learning interventions.
• To explore the relationship between student traits (conscientiousness, interest, tension) and learning outcomes.

Main Methods:

• An intervention study involving 1861 students (ages 10-12) across three conditions: school-based, out-of-school (University condition), and control.
• Invertebrate-focused achievement was assessed using pre-, post-, and follow-up tests.
• Trait and state motivation were measured, and data were analyzed using three-level multilevel analyses.

Main Results:

• Both intervention groups showed increased achievement compared to the control group.
• The out-of-school (University) condition yielded significantly greater achievement gains than the school-based condition.
• Student achievement was positively correlated with conscientiousness and interest, and negatively with tension.

Conclusions:

• Out-of-school learning with living invertebrates significantly enhances student achievement compared to in-school implementation.
• The Vivarium model provides a successful framework for out-of-school invertebrate education.
• Further research can leverage the Vivarium for additional educational studies and inquiry-based learning opportunities.