This study was designed to assess the effectiveness, with respect to science process skill development, of the elementary science curriculum designed by the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS). The assessment was made by statistically comparing the scores on "The Science Process Instrument" of two groups of students. The…

Analyzed were cognitive behaviors required by an elementary science curriculum plan, "Science - A Process Approach." For each activity in this curriculum plan a list of required student cognitive behaviors was made. In the final analysis each activity was represented by its most complex cognitive requirement or "top coding."…

This instrument contains activities by which one can determine a child's intellectual development in: (1) observing, (2) classifying, (3) measuring, (4) using numbers, (5) using space/time relationships, (6) inferring, and (7) communicating and predicting. The seven sections of the instrument correspond to those processes defined in Science - A…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Material Objects Unit of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) on the cognitive operations and academic achievement of elementary school children. The Material Objects Unit was designed to give experiences and explorations in the mental operations of classification,…

Reported at the National Science Teachers Association in April, 1972, in New York City, this investigation was designed to test the importance of pupil manipulation of science materials in the attainment of science process skills for kindergarten and third grade students. It has focused on a specific kind of learning task: acquisition of science…

Compared on classificatory ability were the performances of children in grades 2-4 who had been exposed to the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) program for two years and children who had not. No significant differences in performance either quantitatively or qualitatively were detected. It was concluded that the grouping and…

Examines whether elementary school children's cognitive achievement in science process skills increases significantly because of teacher training in the Individualized Science (IS) materials. Investigates the effects of teacher training in the IS materials on teachers' attitudes and skill achievement. (GA)

This study examined whether a relationship existed between field-dependence-independence and scientific attitudes of sixth-grade students in SCIS. Findings indicated that such a relationship was not statistically significant. (Author/DS)

Reported is a study of the generalizing of process skills developed in elementary science to objectives of Florida history. The study involved the comparison of two groups: one which had highly systematic instruction in the development of process skills in science having had the program Science - A Process Approach and one which had no direct…

The purposes of this study were to investigate: (1) effectiveness of three small group teaching methods on the acquisition and retention of seriation abilities; (2) transfer of seriation abilities using the three treatments; and (3) relationship between visual and nonvisual seriation abilities. One hundred twenty first grade Canadian students were…

Research on the development of ability to control variables during adolescence is reviewed. The first section discusses studies by Piaget and his collaborators, replications of Piaget's studies, and related studies by other investigators. Factors which influence performance on controlling variables tasks are delineated; the existence of Piaget's…

The materials of Science - A Process Approach (1966) were evaluated in terms of strategies of classifying, observing, using number relations, and recognizing and using space/time relations. Ninety-five students in grades 4, 5, and 6 in Austin, Texas representing a range of tested intelligence, academic ability, interest in science, and…

Common misconceptions of children that may interfere with their learning science are discussed, including three aspects of science programs: complexity, fragility, and unclear learning outcomes. Special attention is given to the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS). Methods for solving problems dealing with students' misconceptions are then…