Some students say the Earth is a sphere and we live on the outside of the sphere with people living all over the sphere
Earth and Space
Misconception
In this model, 'down' is towards the surface of the sphere, rather than towards the centre.
Diagnostic Resources
The following worksheets may help to identify whether students hold this particular misconception.
For more information, see the University of York BEST website.
Resources to address this
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The shape of the Earth (5-11)
Ref - SPT HS03 TL02
One of the common unhelpful ideas about the Earth. You'll need to explore the idea that the Earth is spherical explicitly, drawing on the children's ideas to challenge and develop their views.
View Resource
References
The following studies have documented this misconception:
- Nussbaum, J., () An Assessment of Children's Concepts of the Earth Utilizing Structured Interviews, Science Education, 60 (4)
535-550,
https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.3730600414. - Sneider, C. and Pulos, S., () Children’s Cosmographies: Understanding the Earth’s Shape and Gravity, Science Education, 67 (2)
205-221.
- Bryce, T. and Blown, E. J., () Children's Concepts of the Shape and Size of the Earth, Sun and Moon, International Journal of Science Education, 35 (3)
388-446,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2012.750432. - Baxter, J., () Children's understanding of familiar astronomical events, International Journal of Science Education, (5)
502-513,
https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069890110503. - Vosniadou, S. and Brewer, W., () Mental Models of the Earth: A Study of Conceptual Change in Childhood, Cognitive Psychology.
- Sharp, G., () Children's astronomical beliefs: a preliminary study of Year 6 children in south‐west England, International Journal of Science Education, 18 (6)
685-712.