How to improve students' understanding of energy transformation and conservation remains one of the main challenges of energy teaching. To address this challenge, we developed a new teaching strategy suited to high school based on history and philosophy of science (HPS). It involves five key ingredients: study and reproduction of Joule's…

Teleology has been described as an intuitive cognitive bias and as a major type of student conception. There is controversy regarding whether teleological explanations are a central obstacle to, are legitimate in, or are even supportive of science learning. However, interaction in science classrooms has not yet been investigated with regard to…

Imprecise constructs abound in science education research in part due to reliance on stipulative definitions that neglect fine distinctions between closely related constructs and overlook important meanings and hidden values embedded in language. Lack of conceptual clarity threatens construct validity, hampers theory development, and prevents…

This paper analyzes recent research conclusions regarding biology teacher attitudes toward evolution, and the variable implementation of evolution in the high schools nationwide. Berkman and Plutzer (2010. "Evolution, creationism, and the battle to control America's classrooms." New York: Cambridge University Press) conclude that due to a large…

Many students in physics courses fail to achieve a desired conceptual change because they assign an incorrect ontology to the to-be-learned concept. This situation has been detected in previous research for the case of field lines: many college students assign material properties to the lines and describe them, for example, as tubes that contain…

Investigates whether basic tenets for the "nature of science" are also held by philosophers of science and explores possible related philosophical positions underpinning differences in responses. Reports that the philosophers expressed significant disagreements with the tenets and different philosophers varied on their views about the…

As an alternative guide to science teaching, a generalized theory of scientific observation defined in terms of human intentions and purposes is offered. The generalized theory, while based on assumptions different from those of the science education theory, can still account for the plausibility of many aspects of that theory. (JN)

Criticizes the methods and assumptions of a study that attempted to determine a standard list of tenets for the Nature of Science via statistical sampling of members of the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA). Provides a taxonomy of philosophic issues and suggests some roles for philosophy of science in science teaching and science-teacher…

Reports an investigation of the epistomologic foundations of Gagne's conception of science processes. Results indicate that a commitment to inductive empiricism pervades the presently held view of science processes. Implications for science education are considered. (Author/JN)

Discusses key issues of education in general and leads into a critique of the relationships among capitalism, science, and education. Describes the implications that critical pedagogy might have for productively confronting these relationships in urban settings. (Author/MM)

Argues that "truth" and "time" are defined differently by scientists and postmodern observers of science: a theoretical definition of "truth" is often applied to scientific knowledge within science education, whereas a practical definition, supported by evidence, is used within science. (Author/CCM)

Reviews the history of the epistemological and ontological underpinnings of science education and surveys other selected articles with this theme. (DDR)

Draws attention to some contemporary educational issues that hinge upon interpretations of the nature of science, especially constructivist proposals. Discusses the range of philosophical debate on the merits of constructivism. Contains 88 references. (DDR)

Applies Kuhn's model of the structure of scientific revolutions, Popper's hypothetic-deductive model of science, and Lakatos' methodology of competing research programs to a historical biological episode. Suggests using Kuhn's model (emphasizing the nonrational basis of science) and Popper's model (emphasizing the rational basis of science) in…

The paper focuses on problems science educators and researchers must face before the advantage of paradigms can be realized. Examples of the role of paradigms in physics research are presented. A critique of paradigm use in physics is presented. Future variations of paradigms for science education are discussed. (Author/RE)