Investigation of middle school students’ thoughts about a mobile planetarium activity

Abstract

In this study, students’ thoughts about a mobile planetarium activity were obtained through a letter writing exercise. Document analysis was used to analyse 163 letters by way of content analysis. The study group consisted of 163 students (5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades) from a middle school in a disadvantaged area of Ankara, Turkey. Analysis of the letters was grouped as what was learnt from the planetarium activity, feelings and thoughts about the planetarium environment, benefits of the activity, and other feelings and thoughts. The students stated that they were generally satisfied with the event, that they enjoyed the activity, were excited, and found it to be extremely fun. Moreover, their interests and curiosity increased due to the activity. The students’ thoughts about the out-of-class activity generated positive feedback and provided effective suggestions for the implementation of similar activities in the future.