Population Growth Modelling Simulations: Do They Affect the Scientific Reasoning Abilities of Students?

Students need to be able to be able to develop their scientific reasoning skills in secondary schools by collecting data and developing science models. Internationally, a greater number of countries are developing nationwide standards that require the use of hands-on approaches, the development and use of science models by students and include final assessments of their scientific reasoning skills. However, in biology classes this can be difficult due to the nature of the subjects. This paper discusses the use of spreadsheet-based simulations within the context a modelling-based pedagogical unit focused on population growth in introductory secondary level biology classes. The effect of the implementation on students scientific reasoning skills were assessed in terms of scientific reasoning sub-skills as well as Piagetian reasoning levels within the context of a quasi-experimental design study. The findings suggest that the implementation was successful with the treatment cohort usually outperforming the comparison cohort.