The assimilation and synthesis of knowledge is essential for students to be successful in chemistry, yet not all students synthesize knowledge as intended. The study used the Learning Preference Checklist to classify students into one of three learning modalities--visual, auditory, or kinesthetic (VAK). It also used the Kolb Learning Style…

Analyzes the meaning of Piaget's concept of abstraction and provides discussion of some of its shortcomings. (HM)

Discussed is the teaching of physics with an emphasis on the learning of concepts before problem solving. Examples of this approach are provided. (CW)

Describes the MAOF physics education program which is designed to relate large parts of mechanics and electromagnetism to each other via the key concepts of field and potential, while at the same time treat students' conceptual difficulties. Finds that students who studied with the MAOF program significantly improved their physics knowledge…

Summarizes a pilot project which investigated how elementary school children in Southeast Asia learn science and mathematics concepts at different cognitive levels using the modified clinical method and group task approach. Includes the Concept Learning Project's basis, goals, phases, methodology, activities, and a summary of the findings. (DS)

Examines 11 elementary science texts in terms of conceptual structure and reasoning demands using concept maps. Reports that (1) the conceptual structures vary widely across texts; (2) most of the structures are well defined; and (3) the reasoning demands are above the developmental capabilities of most of primary-level children. (Author/YP)

This paper is based on a portion of the curriculum analysis of elementary science textbooks that was conducted as part of a larger Elementary Subjects Center study of curriculum materials used in literature, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. A commonly used elementary science curriculum series, Silver Burdett and Ginn's…

In an effort to improve students' interests in science and science courses, a study was conducted in Israel to evaluate students' attitudes towards science relative to two chemistry curricula. These curricula were Chemistry for High Schools (CFH), and Chemistry--A Challenge (CAC). The CFH program was mainly designed for science-oriented students…

Investigates the development of dynamics concepts with one group aged 12-14, and other group aged 14-16. Collects data from Assessment of Performance in Science tasks, Piagetian tasks, and classroom science curriculum. Discusses the interaction of cognitive development and classroom experience in the development of concepts. (Author/YP)

Two studies examined the construction of children's beliefs about projectile motion of a ball rolled off a table. Describes the concepts used by children, analyzes their use as a function of age, and gives a naturalistic description of their use. Results indicate that appropriate instruction can remediate misconceptions. (MDH)

Discusses psychological applications for science curriculum and instruction, addressing difficulty in learning science (Piagetian theory); meaningful learning (reformulation, application, making use of prior knowledge, learner involvement); value of practical work (acquisition of skills, enhancing learning, motivation); and affective aspects…

Investigated concept development related to particulate theory of matter in 130 children (ages 8-12) in two contrasting Warwickshire middle schools. Results are set against background policies/practices in science teaching as revealed by responses from teacher questionnaires (N=60) and analysis of several science curricula. (JN)

Abstracts of most of the papers presented at the 56th Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) have been collected in this publication. Papers focus on such areas as student and teacher characteristics, student and teacher attitudes, science curriculum, science instruction, preservice and inservice…

Reviews and analyzes research related to the teaching and learning of science completed in 1985. Includes: (1) reviews of research; (2) evaluation; (3) student characteristics; (4) attitudes toward science; (5) conceptual reasoning; (6) instructional treatments; (7) cognitive skills; (8) laboratory work; (9) microcomputer applications; (10)…

A concept/process-based science education program is any science education program in which curriculum instruction, learning, activities, and evaluation are organized by an identified set of fundamental concepts and processes to be developed by students. This differs from science education programs that are topically based. Although topical…