Suggests that students who reason with only concrete thinking patterns may become formal thinkers through the use of the following instructional pattern: (1) the introduction of an undifferentiated whole, (2) differentiation of the whole through concrete experiences, (3) invention of symbolic notation, (4) application of concepts which lead to…

This study was concerned with student transition from concrete to formal cognitive functioning. Results of training 32 fifth-grade and 32 seventh-grade students indicated that instruction can effect the desired transition of ability to isolate and control variables. (SL)

Reports a procedure for training fifth and seventh grade students to substantially improve their understanding and use of controlled experimentation procedures. (SL)

The author examines Novak's position that science and mathematics educators should discard Piaget's theory of intellectual development in favor of Ausubel's theory of meaningful learning as a guide for teaching practice and research. (PB)

The relationships between 54 sixth grade students' performance on the Piagetian balance beam and bending rods tasks were correlated with their answers to value-laden questions. Significant positive relationships were observed. Implications from these findings for science instruction are discussed. (CP)