Guidelines to foster creativity in elementary/middle school students are discussed. These include understanding the creative process, freeing the classroom from constraints, rewarding creative behavior, modeling creative behavior, deferring judgment, choosing appropriate subject matter/materials, and using activities stimulating creativity.…

Two teacher behavior patterns differing in the degree of directiveness utilized by the teacher were investigated. The results show that teacher behavior does effect student behavior in elementary science classes where hands on activities are employed and presents evidence that materials, activities, and curricula cannot be made teacher-proof. (BT)

Investigated was growth in creativity under two different teacher behavioral strategies (student-structured and teacher-structured learning). Results indicated that students in a nondirective, student-structured science class made significant gains in figural creativity with no loss or gain in student verbal creativity. (BT)

Determined whether small groups would stimulate creativity more than individualized learning environments for fifth- and sixth-grade students (N=111). Results indicated that small groups were more creative with electrical circuits and that this grouping format should be used in elementary classes. (Author/DH)

Reports on a study into the relative importance of the four goal clusters of Project Synthesis as perceived by members of service clubs and community groups. Results indicate that although the importance of science for further studying of science remained constant from 1976-1986, significant increases occurred in the importance of science in…

Presents information on the perceptions of students (from third, seventh, and eleventh grade) and young adults concerning science classes, their science teachers, and the value of science content. Includes data from the Third Assessment of Science (1977), National Science Supervisors Association Study (1982), and National Science Teacher…

Affective item findings from two national assessments (N=2500 for 1977 assessment; N=2000 for 1983 assessment) are reported and compared. Areas examined include attitudes toward teaching procedures, action of science teachers, current science teacher, and science class. Lists of characteristics of exemplary programs and behaviors of exemplary…

Relationships which exist between self-perception in science and cognitive development were explored under two quantitatively different teaching strategies: the use or nonuse of directions, praise, and rejection. A less directive teaching strategy appears to provide a more positive environment for developing an independent self-perception in…

Three assessments of the status of school science discovered that textbooks frequently determine course content, the preparation science provides for next academic level is its justification, lecture method is widely used, science is a low educational priority, and students feel it is irrelevant to later life experiences. (MBR)

Summarizes findings of seven studies dealing with how teacher behavior affects student performance in activity-centered science classrooms at the elementary and junior high school levels. Concludes that activity-centered classrooms encourage student creativity in problem solving, student independence, and help low ability students overcome initial…