Paper presented at the conference on "Curriculum Development in a Changing World, Syracuse University, July 10-11, 1968.

A number of the working papers produced for the guidance of the staff of the Australian Science Education Project during the development of instructional units for secondary school science are included in this package. Topics covered range from a discussion of the implications, for curriculum writers, of the research on cognitive development to…

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of standard high school biology and chemistry course sequences. Relates these sequences to Piagetian developmental levels as well as to David Ausubel's cognitive theory. Suggests that the sequences be reexamined in light of issues considered. (JM)

Discusses the development of a list entitled Desired Characteristics of the Science Program for the Middle School'' and based on findings from physiological, psychological, and cognitive research of the in-between-ager.'' Included are two reports on school visitations and an abridged section of Transescence and the Middle School.'' (CC)

In this article a general model of mastery learning is developed and discussed using data gathered from operating applications of the mastery model in college classrooms. Suggestions for the implementation of the mastery model in the high school are also presented. (HM)

SELECTED PAPERS FROM TWO 1964 CONFERENCES ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF COGNITIVE STUDIES AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT ARE INCLUDED IN THIS JOURNAL. SUBJECTS CONSIDERED ARE (1) DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING, (2) AMERICAN COGNITIVE STUDIES, (3) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE STRUCTURE AND EXPERIENCE, (4) THE USE OF LEARNING RESEARCH IN CURRICULUM…

This research assessed Australian high school students' understanding of light, developed materials to conceptual change with respect to the concept, and evaluated the effectiveness of teaching strategies utilizing the materials. After instruction, students were able to construct significantly more scientifically acceptable answers. An appendix…

Described is the importance of the cognitive level of science pupils, cognitive demands of the curriculum, and the social/cultural context within which curricula are planned. Emphasized is the historical division between planning and implementation. Suggestions for improvement are provided. (CW)

Presented are abstracts and abstractors' analyses of nine studies related to curriculum and instruction. These studies focused on: (1) the status of environmental education in Kansas; (2) attitudes of Israeli students toward two versions of a curriculum titled Agriculture as Environmental Science; (3) interrelationships among teacher intentions,…

Describes a method of integrating a course syllabus with a field geological inventory of the surrounding area. Consists of three modules, each with a preparatory unit, field trip, and summary unit. Discusses first hand experiences, learning cycles, novelty factors, and moving from the concrete to abstract. (MVL)

Argues that the failure of modern courses to achieve their declared goals in relation to children's understanding of science has two causes, namely teachers views about the nature of science, and a degree of confusion in the philosophical stance implicit in many science curricula. Presents a philosophical model for curricula. (CW)

This book reviews the literature on effective science teaching, examining research from the United Kingdom and other countries. The studies included were those that made comparisons between two or more groups differing in science education experiences; those that involved upper elementary or lower secondary students; those that made comparisons in…

Designed to facilitate development of local school district curricula, this document provides science educators with guidelines for conducting an assessment of K-14 programs as well as offering "essential" process skills and knowledge items for synthesizing the most appropriate student outcomes in science courses. The booklet is divided…

"Preparing for Tomorrow's World" (PTW) is an interdisciplinary, future-oriented program incorporating information from the sciences/social sciences and addressing societal concerns which interface science/technology/society. The program promotes responsible citizenry with increased abilities in critical thinking, problem-solving,…