Abstract:

Learning how to perform experiments in a science class requires significant practice and effort from teachers. This applies to both the demonstration experiments conducted by teachers in front of the class and the hands-on experiments carried out by students. To facilitate the learning of this skill for future teachers, we offer Science EduLab, a dedicated room for all teacher training students at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. Science EduLab is continuously open to these students, providing them with access to experimental equipment used in secondary schools, which they can use at any time. This access helps them prepare for specific subjects, final exams, or explore their own interests. The laboratory is equipped with a whiteboard, computers, a data projector, and selected software, too. Teacher training students also use this space for discussions about lecture and seminar topics, as well as for tutoring sessions.

Additionally, our goal is to enable secondary school students to explore scientific topics through their own experiments and activities. To achieve this, we organize workshops for entire secondary school classes. These workshops integrate physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, geography, and mathematics, allowing students to see and experience the interrelation of these fields.

Science EduLab also serves secondary school teachers, who can utilize our faculty's facilities for their educational activities. By arrangement, they can bring their students to use the Science EduLab equipment for experiments they cannot conduct at their own schools due to lack of resources.

This contribution outlines the overall concept of Science EduLab and details our first workshop for high school students titled "Limits of Human Senses." In this workshop, students explore the limits of vision, hearing, reaction speed, and the creation of conditioned reflexes. Additionally, it includes feedback from our teacher training students and participants of our workshops.

Keywords:

Education, science, hands-on experiments, inquiry based learning.