Inquiry the Temperature Concept via Its Measurement: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This paper defines temperature, unconnected from heat concept and without delving into the molecular level, from the starting point of how it can be measured. This is because temperature is a property of matter that depends on its physical state. Particularly the aim of the study was to inquiry and compare the middle school students’ (N=109) and pre-service science teachers’ (N=77) prior knowledge
of temperature. Next, after the inquiry-oriented implementation volunteer participants designed thermometers by using different parameters. In the action research design study, created temperatures analyzed by the products evaluation form that was developed by the researcher. Interestingly, it was found that the pre-service teachers run into a contradiction when compared with the middle school students about the use of thermometers, measuring the air temperature and the structure of the thermometers. When evaluated the designed thermometers, it can be said that middle school students were more creative than the pre-service teachers were. Overall results of the study, the participants discovered liquid thermometers work with the help of the expansion property of liquids; temperature measurement and how temperature changes the macroscopic (visible) properties of matter.