With the release of the "Next Generation Science Standards," many schools are reexamining the science materials they are using. Textbook companies and kit developers are eager to meet the demand for "NGSS"-aligned teaching materials. Teacher may have been asked to serve on a science curriculum committee, or to evaluate current…

Science education has undergone extraordinary change in recent years. The Smithsonian Science Education Center has been producing world-class science curriculum for decades that integrates the arts, history, culture, and science of the Smithsonian. In the growing global marketplace, American students need to excel in science, technology,…

One common theme underlying recent reports on science education is that the content of school science and its related pedagogical approaches are not aligned with the interests and needs of both society and the majority of the students. Most students do not find their science classes interesting and motivating. These claims are especially valid…

Food and conservation science curriculum, net-zero design and student-based building performance monitoring have come together in the unique and innovative new Music and Science Building for Oregon's Hood River Middle School. The school's Permaculture-based curriculum both informed the building design and was also transformed through the…

"I can feel it making my brain bigger": from a Year 8 student at Pinjarra Senior High School (SHS) halfway through the two-year Thinking Science Program. Pinjarra was a pilot school for the program in 2009/10 and a growing number of schools in Western Australia (WA) are implementing this program in Years Seven to Nine as part of the…

In times of economic downturn, college enrollments often increase. Entering students may come from diverse educational backgrounds and bring variable skill sets. In this article, the authors describe a skills-focused course developed to ensure that transfer and nontraditional students returning to education are prepared to succeed in…

Primary research articles discuss aspects of scientific inquiry that are important in understanding the nature of science. Yet, most introductory science courses use textbooks that ignore the scientific process; opportunities for explicit discussion of the nature of science are lost. In Hampshire College's science program, students read current…

A novel "Whiteheadean" science program was initiated in England and Wales in September 2006. Following a critical House of Commons report in 2002, the government altered the National Curriculum targets and thus forced the Examination Boards to alter their specifications in order to come in line. Assessment at GCSE level (i.e., the 14-16…

Suggests that the new context for school science focuses on the real world, real people, and real issues. Areas considered include current problems in science education, the need for a new context, recommendations for a K-12 science curriculum, the science/technology/society (STS) movement, and STS curricula and programs. (JN)

Chemistry should be fun and exciting, but much preparation and skill are needed by the teacher and students in working with chemicals. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and things can blow up, but these incidents can help be prevented by knowing and following proper safety procedures. Knowing which chemicals are appropriate for the middle level…

Reports on an evaluation of the impact of two science enrichment programs on gifted high school students (n=330). Evaluates the programs using a multimethod, multiperspective approach that proves to be a comprehensive evaluation of program impact on science attitudes. (Contains 57 references.) (DDR)

This document is a description of an inquiry oriented, hands-on, kit-based science program initiated by the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology in its culturally diverse urban school district. Descriptions include the PUSD science program setting, the major components of the program,…

1984 marks the implementation in Scottish schools and colleges of Standard Grade courses for the 14 to 16 age group and the 16-18s Action Plan. This review will introduce these two major curriculum changes to non-Scottish readers, and emphasize the changes which will occur in science. (JN)

Discusses criteria used in selecting the 1982 Search for Excellence in Science Education (SESE) exemplary elementary science, inquiry, science/technology/science programs. Includes lists of winners in these three areas. (JN)

Although most educational programs for senior citizens emphasize arts and crafts, model science programs designed specifically for seniors, emphasizing geological science, have been developed at the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs). The programs have been well received and can be useful in integrating or mainstreaming seniors into the…