Data collection, organization, and analysis are indispensable means of seeking solutions during the process of inquiry. Representations (called inscriptions by some educators) including graphs, tables, photographs, and equations are powerful ways of arranging and displaying data in visual form. This study aims to analyze quantitatively the use of…

In this article, the authors' kindergarteners and a fellow first-grade class turned their hallway into a forest! Not just any mural, this culmination of a month-long project was based on observing, questioning, taking field trips, conducting library research (including the internet) and asking experts. The students developed skills in forming…

Aim of the study is to assess the project works and application processes in science education of 6th, 7th and 8th grades in primary education upon teachers' perspectives. The research was fulfilled upon the descriptive survey model to collect data. Participants of the research were 90 teachers, having project management experience in science…

One author shares the unique opportunity to be immersed in the science of "sound at work" through participation in NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Teacher at Sea Program. A third- through fifth-grade learning outcome within the Nature of Science section of the "Next Generation Science Standards"…

Within the field of science education, there remains little agreement as to the definition and characteristics of classroom inquiry. The emerging emphasis on scientific practices in science education reform discourse is underpinned by a need to better articulate the constituent elements of inquiry-based science. While a small number of…

While few disagree that science fair projects have great potential for student learning, the preparation and execution of projects can be stressful for teachers, students, and parents alike. While working as a fourth-grade teacher, the author's goal was to provide students with a science fair experience minus the pressure of trying to figure out…

One area explored in the Learning in Science Project (Primary--LISP(P)--was children's questions about and explanations of phenomena. Data were obtained from work with classes of children, interviews with children, informal discussions with teachers, and observations of two teachers using an alternative teaching model (outlined in an appendix)…

Children with special learning needs participate fully in the authors' science classes every day; their job as teachers is to bring about meaningful science connections for all students, including those who do not communicate their knowledge most effectively through the ways most typically associated with classroom learning (i.e., reading,…

Describes the Individualized Science" program being developed as part of the Individually Prescribed Instruction program of the University of Pittsburgh Learning Research and Development Center. The use planned for mainstream" and alternative pathways" is described and illustrated by examples of units. (AL)

Reported is a study to determine differences between selected elementary Index, Revised Inquiry Index, percentage of class time spent in pupil experiment Index, Revised Inquiry Index, percentage of class time spend in pupil experiment and time spent in reading and/or extended viewing activities. Audio-tape recordings were made using materials from…

Investigated were three questions related to the relationship between a science teacher's attitude regarding the use of a newer science program, in this instance the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS): (1) Could the Projective Tests of Attitudes, originally designed for fifth-grade students, be modified for use with adults? (2) Is there a…

Presented is a methods textbook designed for elementary school teachers to help them improve the teaching of elementary school science. The author has attempted to guide teachers in choosing curriculum to be taught by considering educational objectives, diagnosing learner needs, and then evaluating the success of their teaching in terms of learner…

Reported is a study into the teaching behaviors of elementary science teachers based on the philosophy of Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS). One hundred eighty-four teachers were selected from a large geographical area, having widely differing backgrounds and varying education and/or experience with SCIS programs. The Predicted Role…

A six-year project providing training for prospective elementary school science teachers is described. Phase one, a period of three years, involved a longitudinal study of a pilot group of students as they encountered science content and science teaching methodology, coupled with early and continued field teaching experiences. In the final three…

Reports on effectiveness of an elementary school science program comparing attitudes toward science of Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) students and teachers with those of students and teachers in non-SCIS classes. Students (N=456) indicate preference for SCIS process-approach science, and SCIS teachers (N=109) spend more time teaching…