Views of Primary School Students' on Exhibits at the Science Center and Learning

Science centers are of significance in science teaching as formal and informal learning settings. In this study, the views of elementary students on exhibits at the science center and the attainments they have acquired after visiting to the science center have been investigated. Primary school students visiting the science center in the province of Ankara were selected as the study group. A total of 108 primary school students have participated in the study. During data collection semi-structured interview was used and students were asked questions including the exhibit they liked the most and the reasons for them liking it, the exhibit they liked the least and the reasons why they liked it the least, two new things they learnt during their visit, whether or not someone accompanied them during the visit, and their personal preferences. Finding of the study revealed that active exhibits drew the attention of students and in general they did not obtain knowledge from exhibits that they did not like. In general, students report than they like the exhibits entertained them and they dont like the ones which could be able to understand. As a result, it was determined that gains of knowledge acquired by primary school students at the science center were limited.