Based on the results of an online survey of 500 Québec's elementary (K-6) teachers conducted in 2015 that probed the way respondents teach astronomy to their classrooms, their background in S&T, their pre-service education, their aims and goals for astronomy teaching, their attitude toward teaching astronomy, the resources and materials they…

The last two decades have seen unprecedented interest in science curricula, with many governments seeing improvements in the performance of their school students in science as key to future economic prosperity. We present the results of an analysis of the curriculum documents for primary and secondary science in Australia (New South Wales and…

The growing diversity of Ontario's population is increasing pressure on the education system to ensure that all students receive equal opportunities to excel academically and develop personally. Students are more likely to succeed if their own racial, ethnic, and cultural identity is reflected in the classroom. This observation applies no less to…

This study reports on a science professional development initiative with elementary school teachers in Canada. Grades 4 and 5 teachers were involved in the implementation and modification of science kits, together with corresponding professional development activities. Each kit was aligned to specific outcomes in the curriculum and provided a…

This material describes curriculum specifications for grade 6 science in Alberta. Emphases recommended are: (1) process skills (50%); (2) psychomotor skills (10%); (3) attitudes (10%); and (4) subject matter (30%). Priorities within each category are identified. (YP)

This comprehensive annotated resource list is designed to assist in the selection of science resources for elementary classrooms. This guide is organized by grade level, and within that heading by series and topic. Following the lists for individual grades is a list of elementary science resources, which are not topic specific, authorized for…

This bulletin provides general information about the achievement testing program and specific information about the design, the composition, and the scoring of the Grade 6 Science Achievement Test in Alberta. Contents included are: (1) "General Information," describing the purpose, nature, and administration of the program; (2)…

Since fewer girls than boys study science and mathematics in Canadian schools and no immediate change in this pattern is apparent in the near future, the science education of women will be one of the issues examined by a study of science education in Canada to be conducted by the Science Council of Canada. Identified in this brief statement are…

This publication is an interim edition of a curriculum guide published by the Ministry of Education of British Columbia for use during the 1977-78 school year. This revised guide is to replace the "old" Elementary Science Program first introduced in 1964 (Primary), 1968 (Intermediate and Grade VII), and the alternative Materials Based…

This paper describes how the Canadian province of Saskatchewan responded to demands for science curriculum renewal. Eleven topics for discussion in the science education field study were posed and reactions from teachers and administrators are reported. (YP)

The Science Council of Canada conducted a 4-year study on science education to investigate the past and present place of science education in Canadian schools and to develop recommendations for its future direction. This report, which summarizes the comprehensive study, is organized into 6 chapters. Chapter 1 summarizes and highlights the report.…

The Science Council of Canada conducted a 4-year study on science education in Canadian elementary and secondary schools. The study reached the conclusion that renewal science education is essential. This report analyzes the study's findings and presents recommendations for bringing about this renewal. The report is organized in four sections. The…

Selected materials needed to teach an astronomy unit as well as suggested procedures, activities, ideas, and astronomy fact sheets published by the Manitoba Planetarium are provided. Subjects of the fact sheets include: publications and classroom picture sets available from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and facts and statistics…

The absence of suitable instruments to measure scientific inquiry skills, and the inability of teachers to construct their own tests to measure mastery of science skills led the Peterborough County (Ontario) Board of Education to develop skill-oriented curriculum guidelines in response to changes in Ministry of Education priorities in science.…

This curriculum guide provides: (1) information on the philosophy of the elementary school science program in Alberta; (2) a list of eight general objectives for science education; (3) 11 statements which identify the desirable characteristics of an elementary science program; (4) a discussion of inquiry in elementary science, considering process…