Analysis of the appropriateness of scientific key competencies included in the inquiry-based physics activities of middle school science textbooks based on the 2015 revised national curriculum

The 2015 revised national curriculum offers five scientific key competencies (SKCs) and emphasizes the acquisition of SKCs through the subject. This study performed comparative analyses of the SKCs included in the inquiry-based physics activities of five kinds of middle-school science textbooks. To do this, we set up a key competency analysis framework and used the analysis framework to analyze the inquiry activities of all five middle-school science textbooks. According to results from the comparative analyse of SKCs, the 'scientific participation and lifelong learning' element among the five SKCs showed the lowest reflection rate in all the inquiry-based activities. Especially, it is never included in the required activities. We also discuss ways of improving teaching methods and teacher training to help students build the five SKCs evenly.