This paper illustrates a year-long case study investigating in-service teachers' needs and mentor's practices in implementing cutting-edge research science topics as nanotechnology and plastics in the ocean in primary education. In a Community of Learners design and with the support of a mentor, ten primary teachers implemented in 6th grade…

We describe the development of the Measure of Affect in Science and Technology (MAST), and study its usefulness for measuring science affect in middle school students via both classical and Rasch measurement perspectives. We then proceed to utilize the measurement structure of the MAST to understand how middle school students at varying levels of…

In this work, we examine middle school students' understanding of the greenhouse effect and global warming. We designed and refined a technology-enhanced curriculum module called "Global Warming: Virtual Earth". In the module activities, students conduct virtual experiments with a visualization of the greenhouse effect. They analyze data and draw…

Formative assessment has been demonstrated to result in increased student achievement across a variety of educational contexts. When using formative assessment strategies, teachers engage students in instructional tasks that allow the teacher to uncover levels of student understanding so that the teacher may change instruction accordingly. Tools…

Several researchers have investigated the effects of computer simulations on students' learning. However, few have focused on how simulations with authentic contexts influences students' inquiry skills. Therefore, for the purposes of this study, we developed a computer simulation (FossilSim) embedded in an authentic inquiry lesson. FossilSim…

This study investigated the impact of technology-based advance organizers (TBAOs) on the academic performance of 240 4th grade English learners (ELs) participating in a science class in School in the Park (SITP), a museum-school collaboration. While SITP provides a rich, hands-on learning environment, ELs face significant linguistic challenges in…

The Meyerhoff Scholarship Program (MSP) is widely recognized for its comprehensive approach of integrating students into the science community. The supports provided by the program aim to develop students, primarily Blacks, into scientists by offering them academic, social, and professional opportunities to achieve their academic and career goals.…

Describes an undergraduate physical science laboratory course exercising the utilization of satellite imagery for studying the floods that resulted in the Parana River region in South America during El Nino (1997-1998), and examines vegetation cover and spectral profiles from the study area in order to further understand and assess the changes…

The use of computers in science assessment is examined for six considerations: (1) purpose of computer use in assessment; (2) value of program evaluation models; (3) possible harmful side effects of assessment; (4) nature of imbedded questions; (5) definition of treatment; and (6) computers and the classroom context. (LZ)

Reports on a survey of first year French university students to discover their views and opinions on the subject of "Science and Technology." Content analysis was used to study scientific titles and texts produced by the students. The main ideas deduced from this analysis encompassed themes such as scientific discovery and conquest,…

This article addresses how NASA uses inquiry in the classroom so that students can see learning in a whole new light. The goal is to increase scientific literacy among Americans and to entice a greater number of students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Although NASA offers a diverse array of programs that…

Describes the procedure and presents the results of a study of themes in state science-curriculum frameworks. Analyzes 25 state frameworks and finds that 88% of these emphasize the standard science and technology in society. Recommends an examination of educational policy links to state science frameworks. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Describes a World Wide Web-based, user-friendly, language-independent graphical user interface providing access to visualizations created for GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment), a multinational program of education and science. (DDR)

Gives descriptions of how performance assessment tasks are linked to science curriculum objectives, along with criteria for and examples of performance assessment tasks. Describes the role that computers and related technology can play in problem-based performance assessment. (LZ)

Drawing from current models, research, and science and mathematics education reform documents, this article first defines and/or delimits three broad domains of education: integrated school science and mathematics, assessment, and technology. A list of characteristics is derived, and two integrated school science and mathematics activities are…