This document summarizes the dispersal of funds on Arctic research by the National Science Foundation during fiscal years 1987 and 1988. Major areas considered were: atmospheric sciences; oceanography; biological sciences; earth sciences; science and engineering education; small business research; engineering and permafrost; Arctic information and…

Examines the influence of both locus of control and three instructional strategies to foster an understanding of the nature of science. Reports that the nature of science was most predictable for a separate process/content/teaching methods and logical thinking ability was the best predictor of the nature of science. (Author/YP)

The Education Committee of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) organized a Task Force on Precollege Science Education Programs to develop a strategy for increasing the involvement of scientific research personnel in the implementation of innovative elementary and secondary science education programs. This report…

This document concerns the operation and evaluation of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC) program. Included with a general letter addressing the operation of the program are several appendices which attempt to answer the questions put forth in the letter. These appendices include considerations of: (1)…

Teaching has been described by a number of educational researchers as a complex cognitive activity. In an effort to contribute to the knowledge base for elementary science teacher effectiveness, this study was undertaken to build upon the procedures and findings of previous intensive instruction research by providing a framework for the…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides awards for education and research in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. This publication contains information about awards for the 1987 and 1988 fiscal years. An introductory section reviews the goals of NSF's education program and the long-range goals of the Directorate for Science and…

Trying to change the predictive rule for the sinking and floating phenomena, students have a great difficulty in understanding density and they are insensitive to empirical counter-examples designed to challenge their own rule. The purpose of this study is to examine the process whereby students from sixth and seventh grades relinquish their…

A mathematics and science program for gifted and talented junior high students in Brooklyn, New York was designed to provide accelerated and enriched instruction in mathematics and enriched instruction in science and computer science. This program was evaluated to determine the congitive and affective changes that would indicate student growth and…

Describes and evaluates science teachers' implementation of microcomputers at a field-test site that was part of a program to encourage literacy of science teachers in the use of microcomputers (ENLIST-Micros). Discusses why only 33 percent of the teachers used computers one year after the training. (Author/YP)

This report summarizes the findings of an exploratory study of the short-term impact of the National Science Foundation's Young Scholars Program (YSP). The program awards grants on a competitive basis to projects located at higher education or advanced research facilities that can provide students with an intellectually stimulating research…

This document contains 15 chapters on various topics related to elementary science assessment. A comprehensive description of efforts to introduce alternatives to multiple-choice, paper and pencil tests to assess science learning is provided. The monograph includes an analysis of assessment issues, descriptions of current practice, and suggestions…

The purpose of this study was to explore middle school students' perceptions of what factors facilitated their learning of science. Between 50 and 60 high-achieving middle school students were in residence on the University of South Florida campus for 12 consecutive days of study in the "World of Water" program. There were two sessions per summer…

Recent efforts of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) have encouraged research between university researchers and classroom science teachers. In 1987 a longitudinal teacher research partners study was begun by the Middle and Junior High Division of NSTA and The…

This book, written by science educators from nine countries, provides a summary of the strengths and weaknesses in practices of science education in schools, and of research in science education. It points out a number of directions that are likely to lead to improvements in the teaching and learning of science if applied in the future. Topics…

Explains the rationale, program specifics and initiatives for the preparation and development of staff, curriculum, instructional support, and research for science education in the United States. Includes total program cost for each. (RT)