Undergraduate STEM students have limited opportunities to apply course-acquired knowledge in the community. Experiential learning opportunities that connect students with community partners offer one impactful way to apply course learning to communities within and beyond the university. While studies have established the value of experiential…

The use of a drama-based pedagogical (DBP) approach, while well-documented to promote active learning and enhance students' generic skills, is under-utilised in the context of higher education, particularly in psychology learning and teaching (L&T). A project, comprising two virtual drama-integrated learning sessions, was implemented to gauge…

Interest affects learning; it also affects students' attitude towards science and career choices. It is therefore urgent to increase students' interest and improve their attitude towards science to face the complex challenges of the future. This study transformed cutting-edge induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) research into an informal science…

The National Council on Family Relations identified translation of research and dissemination of family science knowledge as critical skills for students and new professionals. To build these skills in future professionals, the authors developed an infographic assignment to teach students how to research and communicate a current family science…

There is a societal expectation that undergraduate degrees will contain activities that focus on making graduates workplace ready. Although it is likely that many of these activities occur in science degrees, there is a lack of formal and tested methodologies and frameworks for identifying them. One existing framework (Edwards, Perkins, Pearce,…

This evaluation report describes a central professional learning strategy that the California NGSS Early Implementers Initiative used to help teachers effectively transition to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Initiative's approach to lesson study, called a Teaching Learning Collaborative (TLC), brings together teams of teachers…

Background: Outdoor learning and computer-based learning are two different alternatives to in-class conventional teacher-centered learning. Purpose: This study compares the outdoor learning setting with computer-based learning in class. It examines the influence of the two different learning settings on academic achievements, the learning…

Despite elementary teacher education programs preparing preservice teachers in the main content areas of literacy, math, science, and social studies, few elementary school classrooms teach all four content areas on a regular and thorough basis. Therefore, elementary education teacher preparation programs should be redesigned to support an…

The aim of the research is to improve a valid and reliable attributing scale which identifies authentic learning environments and evaluation attributes of the science teacher candidates. The study has been designed on the base of validity and reliability of the scale developed to evaluate the authentic learning environments. The research group is…

In this article we describe the development, implementation, and some of the early impacts of Nurture thru Nature (NtN), an American after-school and summer program designed to introduce elementary school students in disadvantaged, urban public schools to natural science and environmental education. The program, which began operations in 2010 as a…

The benefits attributed to field trips by science educators are: social development; observation and perception skills; giving meaning to learning; providing first-hand experience and stimulating interest and motivation. Arguably, the "real value" of field work is attributed by students. In this study, 100 first-year students took part…

Currently, teacher education colleges in Tanzania are being equipped with computers to prepare teachers who can integrate technology in teaching. Despite these efforts, teachers are not embracing the use of technology in their teaching. This study adopted Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) as a framework for describing the…

Reported are the results of a questionnaire administered to 135 teachers in Alabama to determine the effects of encouragement on their use of hands-on science activities. The effect of personal success on teaching style is also discussed. A copy of the questionnaire is included. (CW)

Described is the background and methodology of this study including the sample and the instrument development. Copies of the instruments are included. The success of the program as measured by these instruments is reported. (CW)

Describes some of the characteristics of "herps" (amphibians and reptiles). Contains teaching activities dealing with ancient herps, learning stations that encourage sensory experiences with herps, and games, puzzles, and a dramatic play about herps. Includes reproducible handouts designed to be used with the activities, as well as a quiz. (TW)