NATURE OF SCIENCE IN THE TEACHING MATERIALS ABOUT CHEMISTRY OF THE RARE EARTH ELEMENTS: RESULTS FROM A QUALITATIVE CONTENT ANALYSIS STUDY

Abstract

Understanding nature of science (NOS) is part of developing scientific literacy skills. There are seven
aspects of NOS that are included; tentative, subjectivity, empirical, creative and imaginative, socio
cultural, diverse research methods and relationship between scientific theory & law. The purpose of this
research is to gain the concept maps and teaching-learning sequences (TLS) from the views of scientists
regarding to understanding of NOS on rare earth elements (REE) through Education for Sustainable
Development (ESD) approach. The qualitative content analysis method was chosen in this study
throughout the literature analysis based on books sources, review articles and research articles. The
instrument avail of in this study was a content analysis format, which was portray descriptively to
construct the understanding NOS of prospective chemistry teacher students. The outcome of the analysis
are compiled in the form of concept maps and TLS with triangulation between researchers as a guarantee
of validity. The results of the concept map and TLS that have been compiled show the relationship
between the seven aspects of NOS which are integrated into REE learning materials. REE is known have
unique properties based on the electron configuration but is increasingly difficult to find in nature, thus
encouraging creativity to create renewable energy that can be recycled from electronic waste. The
outcomes of this REE and NOS concept map and TLS are expected to be used to develop the design of REE
teaching materials and didactic designs that are oriented ESD.