Investigated effects of varied wait-time durations and cognitive questioning levels on student achievement. Analyses of achievement results (using 30 preservice elementary teachers and 129 students) indicated significant differences attributable to teacher wait-time and cognitive questioning level. (JN)

Explored Morine and Morine's ("Discovery: A Challenge to Teachers") assumptions regarding age and cognitive development of students (N=174) successfully utilizing structured inductive and semi-deductive inquiry strategies. One finding noted is that age has made a significant difference on achievement for both strategies. Implications for…

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 purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in attitude toward achievement in science between boys and girls in grade two and in grade five to see if differences reported for middle school students may apply to elementary students. The need for such research is based upon the growing awareness among teachers, parents,…

Cognitive and affective outcomes of a class visit to a participatory science museum were examined by comparing responses of 416 fifth and sixth graders randomly assigned to four conditions (control, exhibit, lesson, exhibit followed by lesson) and two tests (verbal and visual). Results and implications for science education are presented.…

This study examined the effect of formal and concrete instruction upon science achievement and intellectual development of sixth grade students. Formal instruction, which emphasized oral and written language, included lecture, discussion, oral quizzes, written assignments, reading assignments, films, film strips, written tests, and quizzes.…

Students' understanding of basic science concepts (with particular emphasis on the interaction of science and society) was measured during a 1981-82 national assessment. These results are compared to those obtained from the Third Science Assessment (1977) to determine how students' knowledge has changed during the past five years. (JN)

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two instructional approaches on mildly handicapped and nonhandicapped students' science achievement. Students were assigned at random to one of two conditions: (1) direct instruction; and (2) discovery teaching. The content of the lessons remained constant across conditions and focused…

This report presents descriptive and correlational results from questionnaires administered to parents and tests administered to two groups equalling approximately 650 children from kindergarten, first, and second grade. The primary question addressed is, what is the relationship between what parents report that they do with their children in…

This study had three purposes. First, to develop and validate a criterion-referenced test to measure science knowledge of students who finished the second cycle of the Basic General Education (6th grade). Second, to assess the performance of the entire Costa Rican population of sixth graders and, third, to analyze the results according to some…

This study used data collected during 1981-82 from a random sample of 1,960 9-year-old students from 124 elementary schools involved in a national assessment of educational progress in science. The database was used in secondary analyses which probed the validity of a model of educational productivity involving a set of nine aptitudinal,…

Describes methods designed to add new studies to published meta-analysis results, focusing on a procedure using Bayesian analysis and showing how new findings complement previous meta-analysis and extend its conclusions. Also considers how studies are to be weighted, which variables are to be examined, and how often meta-analyses are to be…

Determined that graphic organizers are effective in increasing the achievement of sixth-grade (N=235) and seventh-grade (N=220) middle school students who used the organizers. Reasons why the graphic organizer enhances student learning and is an effective and practical teaching strategy are also discussed. (JN)

Described is the key teacher strategy for inservice compared to an all teacher strategy, in which inservice is given directly to all the target teachers. Student achievement in both situations is considered. (KR)

This digest provides an overview of several meta-analysis studies which focused on various aspects of science instruction. These studies examined: productive factors in science learning for grades 6 through 12; quality and quantity of instruction; effects of various teaching strategies on science achievement; instructional systems in science…