This paper describes a curriculum unit developed in the domain of geometrical optics which has been incorporated into an activity-based physics course for prospective elementary teachers. The instructional goal was to help students develop a set of powerful ideas that could be applied both verbally and diagrammatically to account for optical…

Discussed are the ways that misconceptions about chemistry are acquired by presecondary children. Several recommendations for teaching chemistry to children are presented including the use of variety, hands-on experiences, critical thinking skills, and appropriate timing of concepts. (CW)

Examines the public's lack of understanding and interest in science. Places much of the blame on the perception of science as a dense yet pristine discipline divorced from everyday concerns. Criticizes the concept of science as independent of social construction and argues for instruction emphasizing relationships between science and society. (MJP)

The relationship between process and content in children's science learning is discussed. The idea that both aspects are important in learning, especially during practical investigations, and that both should be emphasized are presented. (KR)

Describes the rationale and activities developed and tested by the Biology Critical Thinking project (BCT). Presents the project guidelines for developing activities, a list of skills selected as goals of BCT, instruments used in determining effectiveness of the activities, results of the pilot study, and a sample activity involving vitamins. (MDH)

Three themes emerged from interviews with 149 elementary through secondary students: instructional strategies, cognitive demands, and students' ideas about how science should be taught. Elementary students enjoyed the messing around quality of their activities. Junior high school students were becoming uncomfortable with open-ended activities. In…

This study examined how the science methods program at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln affected pre-service elementary teachers' attitudes toward teaching science. A pretest/posttest design was used to evaluate the change in attitude over the course of the semester. Results of the study indicated that the methods course positively influenced…

This bibliography provides 337 annotated references covering: science teaching at the preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and high school levels; science education as it relates to various science disciplines; science education for special populations; sexual stereotyping in science education; teacher education for science teachers; and how…

Assessed the level of cognitive demand inherent in the manner in which students were held accountable for activities and tasks in seventh grade life science classes. Notes that most tasks placed minimal cognitive demand on students, as they involved copying or simple step-by-step procedures. (SKC)

Environmental education provides an interdisciplinary approach to connect various curriculum areas, such as science, mathematics, social studies, and reading. This study sought to discover if intermediate grade students who had instruction in environmental education were more positive toward the school curriculum than those who have not. Fourteen…

Describes a senior level chemical engineering course at Purdue University that parallels an industrial process development department. Stresses the course organization, manager-engineer contract, evaluation of students, course evaluation, and gives examples of course improvements made during the course. (CW)

Reviews rationale, purposes, challenges, and relevance of hands-on, plant biology curricula that have been developed in response to the limited use of plants in biology education. Discusses methods to maintain both instructional rigor and student interest in the following topics: cut flowers, container-growing media, fertilizers, hydroponics,…

A simple model of scientific inquiry was developed using non-technical language. One group of elementary school teachers was introduced to the model during a two-week summer institute where the model was used in conjunction with activity-based approaches to teaching. Participants applied the model in planning and facilitating activities for…

This paper describes the Primary Science Project in Norway whose goals were to describe the primary (grades 1-6) science classroom and to make recommendations on improvements for primary science teaching. The purpose of this study was to study the classroom climate, specifically focusing on the social interactions between teachers and students.…

Examined is the contribution that hands-on, interactive centers can make to science education. The characteristics of informal and formal learning are compared and discussed. (KR)