This study: (1) tested the effectiveness of the Model of Educational Productivity for predicting the inquiry skill of 17-year-olds; (2) investigated if the prediction of inquiry differed for males and females; and (3) if the prediction of inquiry skill differed for white and nonwhite students. (JN)

Investigated differences between middle school and junior high instructional strategies and the effects on adolescent attitude toward science in school and science achievement (n=570) and evaluated variations within grade level, gender, race, general ability, and socioeconomic group. Discusses results in terms of effectively implementing changes…

Reports on an investigation into the differences in classroom climate and science-related attitudes among junior high school science classes on students in Taiwan. Most of the differences in classroom climate, student attitude, and their interactions were attributed to school location (metropolitan versus rural) rather than student…

This Study was conducted to determine if women in the sciences were as accurate in spatial abilities as male counterparts. An experiment was also conducted to find if an intervention would improve the visuo-spatial awareness of women as rapidly as men. Data indicated that while women tended to start at a lower level, they were able to learn…

Sex-related differences on Piagetian horizontality (water level) and verticality (plumb line) tasks were examined by testing 64 college students. Results showed that college-aged males and females generally did not differ in spatial competence although they may be differentially influenced by task content. Implications for theory and practice are…

Examined some of the factors that affect the academic choices that students make and the consequences of those choices for later participation in science. Results (obtained from questionnaires completed by 302 students) show that women rated their science ability lower than men, although they performed better in high school science. (JN)

This descriptive study was conducted to (1) measure anxiety levels of geology students (N=49) and earth science students (N=68) about taking these required departmental courses; (2) measure their general anxiety level; and (3) examine factors associated with student anxiety. Results (including those related to sex differences) are reported and…

Investigated gender patterns with respect to entry rate, project topic, and project type in a state-level science competition. Reports that for the past 20 years the participation rate has been greater for girls than for boys. Boys are more likely than girls to prepare physical, earth, math/computer, and experimental research-based projects. (45…

Proposes a theoretical model of cognitive development and applies this model to the secondary analysis of two large-scale studies which focus on the acquisition of formal operational schemata by adolescents in the United States and Israel. Results support the "unity" hypothesis of cognitive development that the various schemata of formal…

Investigated spatial thinking abilities of sixth- and tenth-grade students from two locales--a school on the Navajo reservation and schools in Mesa, Arizona. Overall findings support the contention that there were no substantial time delays or advances in development of selected spatial abilities of Navajo students compared to parallel non-Indian…

Examines readability of elementary science textbooks regarding visual supplements (color, visuals, and page layout). Significant relationships were found between cloze scores and both grade level and content. Also found significant interaction between grade and sex in favor of older males. Eight of nine texts were at or near readability…

Fifth- and sixth-grade students (N=154) participated in a study which found that cooperative learning situations, compared to individualistic ones, promoted more positive cross-sex and cross-handicap relationships. It was also found that males achieved higher and had more positive attitudes toward science than did females. (Author/JN)

The National Association of Biology Teachers surveyed 1051 members to describe roles, salaries, assignments, professional activities, and evidence of discrimination within its ranks. The responses of male and female biology educators completing/returning the survey (N=509, a 48 percent response rate) are presented and discussed. Implications for…

Collected demographic data, intentions to engage in science, and attitudes of urban, middle school students. Reports results in terms of family variables, students' educational and career plans, internal attributes (self-concept, science anxiety, and achievement motivation), attitude toward science teachers and other students, friends' attitudes…

Examines the effect of verbalization on the formation and retention of mental images in children in kindergarten, first, and fifth grades. Reports no self-generated verbalization effect with gender or ability level and no retention effect. (Author)