Involving students in state-of-the-art research from an early age eliminates the idea that science is only for the scientists and empowers young people to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects. It is also a great opportunity to dispel harmful stereotypes about who is suitable for STEM careers, while leaving students…

Various studies have promoted instruction in the history and philosophy of science (HPS) in science classes, but the best way of putting this perspective into practice remains undetermined. To contribute to this issue, we developed a pedagogical project in some high schools in Brazil that aimed to present science content using an…

This paper reports some of the findings from the science subject design initiative team in the ESRC Interactive Education Project at the University of Bristol. The subject culture of secondary school science, characterised by a content-laden curriculum and assessment, but also with a tradition and requirement for practical work, is briefly…

Science enrichment programmes housed outside traditional school settings offer unique opportunities to access and use authentic scientific tools and practices, especially for urban students whose school science experiences often lack resources. Yet opportunities to access these tools and practices are realized only when science teachers value them…

Case studies of two schools that demonstrate approaches to a liaison between mathematics and science are presented. The establishment of a combined mathematics-science faculty is the most obvious factor that tends to lead to a school's success in achieving a liaison. Additional factors are also considered. (MP)

Described is a highly individualized and open teaching situation, Student-Structured Learning in Biology (SSLB), used with a randomly selected group of 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-grade students at the Florida State University Developmental Research School. Students chose their own content and method of learning and were free to pursue, or not pursue,…

This project was designed to investigate the effect of the use of cause-and-effect activities in the science curriculum on the locus of control of the learner. The purpose of this research is to find the effect of the activities on the learner's locus of control and attitude toward science at grades 7 through 10. A multivariate analysis of…

Research studies have shown that students in rural high schools have fewer science role models, participate less frequently in extracurricular science activities, and have less science career information than do their peers in more cosmopolitan settings. Furthermore, girls in rural schools may be particularly disadvantaged. For example, analyses…

Reports results of a longitudinal study of the effectiveness of career education for students within a 5-year period after graduation, part of an evaluation of a comprehensive K-12 career education program in the Pearl River School District. Describes the secondary program and the science-based health services cluster. (CS)

Surveys of program graduates of a model science teacher education program were compared with responses from a national sample of exemplary teachers. Results indicated a high degree of similarity between the two groups and provided evidence that a good preservice science teacher education can have a positive effect on the development of preservice…

One goal of science educators is to help students to understand the nature of scientific knowledge and reasoning. Reported are ideas related to what junior high students do, can and should know about the nature of science and the use of technology in imparting such knowledge. The studies reported in this document are designed to probe junior high…

Included in this section are articles on the following topics: science education for pupils with learning difficulties, the Engineering Council, differential achievement in early childhood according to sex, a peer tutoring program, and suggestions for involving students in recording their own achievement. (CW)

As a result of survey assessments which suggested a limited supply of science instructional resources in the Northaeastern Kansas area, the INSTEP (Integrative Network for Science Teaching Exploration and Practice) project was developed. Twenty-two 2nd-12th grade teachers from six school districts participated during 7 months of the project. The…

Reported is a case study of environmental education students (19) at Johannesburg College of Education. The case study used a phenomenological approach. Reasons for the evaluation design and results of the evaluation are included. (CW)

The effect of intervention lessons designed to accelerate the development of formal operations taught over a period of two years to adolescents was assessed. Results indicated that the experimental group had achieved a significantly greater gain in cognitive levels than the control group. Implications are discussed. (CW)