چکیده (انگلیسی):

The purpose of this study was to assess children’s understanding of plant nutrition. The research
was done on a sample of secondary school pupils in the age range of 16 to 19 years in two senior
secondary schools in Botswana. The sample contained 137 senior secondary pupils all in their
final year of study. These children were above average ability. The children were given a te st on
plant nutrition composed of two parts namely forced and free responses which were based on the
Botswana senior secondary school biology syllabus.
After the administration of the test to the pupils, interviews were conducted to give children the
opportunity to explain their answers. The majority of children experienced little difficulty in
providing accepted ideas about plant nutrition. However, analysis of children’s responses showed
that mistakes were often made in the process of where plants make f ood rather than in the process
of how plants make food. In conclusion, suggestions and recommendations were made with the
hope that they would help teachers teach plant nutrition in a meaningful way.