Origami Modeling of Triangular Bipyramidal and Seesaw Molecular Geometric Structures

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of origami modeling of triangular bipyramidal and seesaw molecular geometric structures on science students' levels of understanding. The study was conducted with the participation of 30 students in the first year of a Science Education program of a Faculty of Education and, in line with its objectives, has a single group pre-test post-test design. Prior to, during, and following the activity, the science students were asked open ended questions and drawing questions, to measure their levels of understanding concerning valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, and triangular bipyramidal and seesaw molecular geometry with five electron groups. The activity involved science students preparing origami models of triangular bipyramidal and seesaw molecular geometries. The study's findings were analyzed using Abraham, Williamson and Westbrook's (1) criteria for evaluating levels of understanding. In addition, following the activity, the students' views on origami activities were collected, and analyzed using descriptive analysis. It was found that the students were not able provide answers indicating a sound understanding prior to the origami activity, but were able to once the activity was completed.