A new National Science Foundation supported curriculum, Interactions in Physical Science[TM], was evaluated on students' conceptual change in the twelve concept areas of the national physical science content standard (B) for grades 5-8. Eighth grade students (N = 66) were evaluated pre and post on a 31-item multiple-choice test of conceptual…

Described is the experience in two schools with the adoption of two science curricula, The Man-Made World and The Technology-People-Environment. The success and difficulties with the programs are discussed. (MP)

Describes an experimental design using a control group with pre- and post-testing to determine the effectiveness of the project materials for seventh grade students. After controlling for differences in group IQ and reading achievement, the experimental group scored significantly higher in achievement and positive attitudes. (DF)

An experimental group-control group investigation was designed to answer four questions concerning the curriculum. The conclusions are that it is a good program (concerning costs and value), and it is good education (concerning intellectual development and making contributions to academic growth in other areas). (DF)

The Science Curriculum Improvement Study group had significantly greater gains in utilizing science processes than a matched group using a textbook approach. (DF)

Reports data on 135 students completing the first year of the Nebraska Physical Science Project (NPSP). Those students who were most successful in this integrated and individualized course perceived themselve(PB)

A total of 79 children, enrolled in 8-month treatments in a textbook series and a science course improvement program, were tested for their attitudes toward science, the scientific process and scientists. Few significant differences between groups and sexes were found. (CP)

Discussed is an approach to learning in which students are given the opportunity to discuss and rationalize the conflict between the students' existing misconceptions and the phenomenon to be studied. Curriculum materials for a unit on acids and bases were developed using this strategy. (KR)

The study indicated that evaluation of curriculum in elementary schools can be facilitated greatly if behavioral tasks are used as criteria for measurement. Experimental subjects who received process oriented instruction achieved significantly higher scores on desired outcomes than did control subjects who received content oriented instruction.…

Avi Hofstein and Robert E. Yager recently published "Societal Issues as Organizers for Science Education in the 80's" (EJ 273 207). Objections to their thesis are discussed indicating, among others, that their suggestions would be counterproductive to their stated goals and open to dangerous manipulation by anti-scientific factions and social…

Offers a defense of societal issues as organizers for school science programs in response to criticisms of this thesis discussed in SE 534 649. Indicates that there appears to be no evidence that using nontraditional topics as organizers will make science more subject to manipulation and perversion. (JN)

Describes a study which explores the feasibility of implementing a "didactical shadow" seminar in abstract algebra. Includes the effect of the seminar on prospective secondary mathematics teachers' (N=17) attitudes and on their understanding of concepts and principles of abstract algebra and algebra of the real number system. (DS)

Attempts to assess the impact of the NSF science curriculum projects have been generally unsatisfactory. Much of the NSF impact on science education will probably continue to defy quantification. Whether or not the new curricula achieve their goal of increasing scientific literacy among the public can only be evaluated over the lifetimes of the…

It is noted science education is in a major period of transition, largely because of major problems facing society today. The feeling expressed is that science teaching designed to respond to societal demands of the 1960's is inappropriate for the demands of the 1980's. Possible directions for new programs are discussed. (MP)