Ja. Rye et al., AN INVESTIGATION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTIONS OFGLOBAL WARMING, International journal of science education, 19(5), 1997, pp. 527-551
Because global warming presents a serious potential threat to our bios
phere, it is receiving considerable attention by scientists, policy ma
kers, and educators. This article presents alternative conceptions abo
ut global warming held by a sample of 24 grade 6 to 8 students. Studen
ts completed interviews on global warming approximately two weeks afte
r instruction from a Science-Technology-Society (STS) global warming u
nit. The majority of students introduced 'ozone layer' or 'ultraviolet
radiation' in response to the question, 'When you think about global
warming, what comes to mind?' Approximately one-half of the students h
eld the alternative conceptions that ozone layer depletion is a major
cause of global warming and that carbon dioxide destroys the ozone lay
er. These and other alternative conceptions evidenced by the students
suggest that global warming instruction should help students clarify t
hat ozone layer depletion and global warming are different environment
al problems and that the ozone 'hole' does nor enhance the greenhouse
effect.