Identifies the unsophisticated assumptions and conjectures, both intuitive and empirical in character, underlying secondary school science students' (n=25) portrayal of scientific knowledge and its production. Structured interview protocols explored not only the students' substantive knowledge base but, perhaps more important, their ability to…

Describes entertainment and leisure activities with an information content that serve as informal sources of scientific knowledge available to the community. Discusses the present lack of communication and cross-referencing among the diverse groups concerned with the informal presentation of science and calls for greater sharing of ideas, data,…

Examines the proposed definition of biological literacy as the understanding of a small number of pervasive biological principles appropriate to making informed personal and societal decisions. Utilizes the content of a major daily newspaper to adjust biology instruction to focus on this notion of biological literacy. Discusses benefits and…