From Inquiry to Creation: The Impact of Generative AI on Primary Science Education

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-472-3_21How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Generative Artificial Intelligence; Project-Based Learning; Primary Science Education; Computer Self-Efficacy; Science Attitudes; Process Skills

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study investigates the effectiveness of integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into project-based learning (PBL) within primary science classrooms in China. A total of 120 fifth-grade students were assigned to an experimental group (n = 60), which received a four-week GenAI-enhanced PBL intervention, or a control group (n = 60), which followed a traditional PBL curriculum. The intervention utilized GenAI for activities such as inquiry, research, and video-based project creation. Pre- and post-test data were collected using validated scales. An independent samples t-test on posttest scores revealed that the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater gains than the control group across three key domains: computer self-efficacy (CSES; t(118) = 2.18, p < .05, d = 0.40), attitudes toward science (ATSS; t(118) = 4.54, p < .001, d = 0.83), and science process skills (SPSI; t(118) = 4.70, p < .001, d = 0.86). These findings indicate that a GenAI-enhanced PBL model can effectively promote digital competence and foster scientific inquiry in primary education. Implications for designing AI-integrated pedagogy and advancing equitable science education are discussed.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Jianhui Sun
AU  - Zhaolin Zhang
AU  - Linfang Nie
AU  - Li Hong
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/11/24
TI  - From Inquiry to Creation: The Impact of Generative AI on Primary Science Education
BT  - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Internet Technology and Educational Informatization (ITEI 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 228
EP  - 238
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-472-3_21
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-472-3_21
ID  - Sun2025
ER  -