Abstract
Biology is mostly seen as a "medium" favourite subject by Czech pupils. It has been shown that different branches of biology are evaluated differently by pupils.
But a study comparing all biology fields relevant for secondary education was missing. The objective of the study was to investigate evaluation of branches of biology by lower secondary school pupils.
An evaluation questionnaire was filled by 550 pupils. Influence of gender, year of study, school type and teacher on evaluation of branches of biology was tested using non parametric tests.
The most favourite branches of biology were zoology and human biology, the least favourite were mycology and geology (usually part of biology in Czech curriculum). Evaluation of branches of biology was influenced by gender, year of study, school type and teacher.
Interestingly, school teaching and learning did not change pupils' evaluation of most of the branches of biology. All branches of biology except human biology were evaluated the less favourite, the higher grade were the pupils in.
Particular teacher was important for the evaluation of the branches of biology as he/she could influence it. We therefore find the teachers' attitudes toward specific branches of biology crucial.
We also suggest teachers' attitudes should be deliberately improved during their studies.