Informal science education is a broad field of research marked by fuzzy boundaries, tensions, and muddles among many disciplines, making for an unclear future trajectory (or trajectories) for the field of study. In this commentary, I unpack some of the hidden dimensions, tensions and challenges the five articles raise or point to implicitly in…

Argues that the Piaget's epistemic subject is not supported by evidence and contains weaknesses. Concludes that the epistemic subject is dead and that continued acceptance of this aspect of Piagetian theory would be counterproductive. (PR)

Discusses differences between the epistemic and the psychological subject, the relationship between the epistemic subject and the ideal gas law, the development of general cognitive operations, and the empirical testability of Piaget's epistemic subject. (PR)

Supports the assertion that constructivism is a sound theory that explains the practice of science and science pedagogy, and responds to critics of constructivism. Offers a constructivist account of some long-standing epistemological issues. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

Pre-service teachers face many challenges as they learn to teach in ways that are different from their own educational experiences. Pre-service teachers often enter teacher education courses with pre-conceptions about teaching and learning that may or may not be consistent with contemporary learning theory. To build on preservice teachers' prior…

In this article, the author gives a general introduction of a few ideas on cognitive development in children. In the first part, he deals with the topic of development, a process which concerns the totality of the structures of knowledge. He reviews the stages of development of operational structures, distinguishes four main stages of development,…

Argues that in order for there to be a theory there must be something to be explained. Questions the development of theories in education in general and in science education in particular. Suggests phrasing research questions straightforwardly, as questions, and not as theories to be tested. (Author/SK)

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…

Focuses on theoretical underpinnings of social constructivism and multicultural education and aspects of social constructivism that can provide frameworks for research in multicultural science education. Attempts to persuade other researchers to expand their research and teaching efforts into multicultural science education. Illustrates a blending…

This article offers five research criteria and their rationale to help researchers avoid problems and to help them improve research. Improving research should improve the quality of science teaching. The treatment of causal hypotheses is stressed. (Author/CW)

Persuasion is presented as it may be applied by science educators in research and practice. The orientation taken is that science educators need to be acquainted with persuasion in the context of social influence and learning theory to be able to evaluate its usefulness as a mechanism for developing and changing science-related attitudes. (KR)

Suggests that educating all students entails going beyond seeking ways to enable marginalized students to engage in present educational forms. An education for homeless and minority children involves rethinking foundational assumptions about the nature of the disciplines, the purposes of education, and the role of teachers. Respecting diversity…

Connects taken-for-granted activities to the micropolitics of differentiation in institutions such as schools. This is done by employing theoretical traditions taken from cultural studies of science and from philosophies not often found within the science education community. Analyzes the mechanisms through which grading works as a technology of…

Teacher knowledge--indeed teachers themselves--is always unfinished and incomplete. Knowledge never exists outside of a context of use. The shift to seeing teaching as site of cultural production invites the question, What structures of human relationship will scientists and science educators construct in and through the work they perform? The…

Demonstrates, for a nonscience feminist educator, ways in which science and science education can be arenas for liberatory pedagogical practices where socioeconomic power relations can be challenged. The evolution and practice of scientific knowledge itself operates to exploit and oppress people everywhere in the name of a dominant class. (PVD)