The purpose of this article is to provide preservice and new STEM teachers with an understanding of the benefits of using science trade books to foster comprehension of the science content in the classroom and explain how to supplement science instruction with children's literature. By using children's literature in the science classroom, students…

Readers of the draft new English primary science curriculum (DfE, 2012) might be concerned to see that there is much more detail on the Earth science content than previously in the United Kingdom. In this article, Chris King, a professor of Earth Science Education at Keele University and Director of the Earth Science Education Unit (ESEU),…

The fact that "The Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") are standards and not curriculum (NRC 2012, p. xiv) means that while they tell teachers what to teach, they do not tell them "how" science shall be taught. Ana Houseal and Peter Ellsworth have worked with eight Wyoming school districts on the…

Students in a general education science course made significant gains in scientific reasoning skills when they were taught using carefully designed hands-on activities and writing assignments. The activities required students to make use of scientific skills such as graphing, predicting outcomes under changing conditions, or designing experiments,…

The need for the inclusion of socio-scientific issues (SSI) into science curricula has been generally accepted, but relatively few science teachers have incorporated SSI into their courses. Most science teachers feel that their most important task by far is to teach the principles of science, and any substantive pedagogical changes represent a…

Discusses issues related to teaching about orbitals in beginning chemistry courses. Lavoisier's rule, Lewis's orbitals, Pauli's principle, the physics related to chemical concepts are examined. The American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training's position on these issues is briefly addressed. (JN)

In 1998, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) launched an ambitious effort to create on-line science courses for K-12 educators that would immerse them in exciting science topics and give them access to the Museum's scientific resources (scientists, research, expeditions, collections, and exhibitions). This project, called Seminars on…

Presents priorities and strategies considered when developing a course on women and science at an Australian university. Suggests that the course will fill a gap in the history of science course offerings and address the contributions of Australian women scientists. Compares the experiences of two physicists: Joan Freeman and Rachel Makinson. (DK)

Surveyed dietetics directors (N=186) and biochemistry instructors (N=153) on topics emphasized in biochemistry courses for dietetics and nutrition students. Results indicate a consistent pattern of variation in topics emphasized and that this variation is influenced by whether students in other major fields are also in a course. (JN)

Reports the results of a survey of graduates, employers, and instructors of engineering technology programs for the essential topics in mechanical engineering technology, mechanical drafting/design technology, manufacturing engineering technology, and industrial engineering technology. Identifies the proficiency level suggested for classwork and…

After publication in 1982 of the Royal Society report "Science Education 11-18 in England and Wales," the Physics Education Joint Committee of the Royal Society and Institute of Physics was established. A working party of this Joint Committee has now produced this reduced-content 16+ syllabus in physics. The main intention of the working…

This syllabus (which is not a teaching syllabus) is intended to be an essential minimum core syllabus in biology for children of all abilities. It consists of: (1) a foreword, which outlines how the syllabus was generated; (2) an introduction, which provides information about the use of the syllabus in biology teaching (for example, the local…

A senior-level, elective course on synthetic fuels was developed for chemistry and chemical engineering majors. The topics covered in this course, instructional strategies used, and independent student projects are described. (JN)

Describes a high school chemistry program which uses a team approach. Organizational structure, instructional strategies, student involvement, and outcomes (including the development of a third year of chemistry using an independent study approach) are considered. (JN)

Describes a high school physics teaching sequence including more modern topics. The first quarter covers cosmology, astronomy, optics, wave mechanics, relativity, gravity, and quantum theory. The second quarter covers classical mechanics. The third quarter covers electromagnetism and electronics. The fourth quarter consists of thermodynamics and…