This study sought to explore qualitatively how participation in an informal science program might affect the following aspects of upper elementary school children's scientific thinking: conceptual understanding, epistemology of science, and the formation of their identity as science learners. A purposefully selected, maximum variation sample of…

Describes an elementary school summer program designed to allow children to develop their fullest potentials for logical thinking and structuring their own knowledge. In particular, the activities of the science center are discussed. (JR)

Describes a successful two-week summer program for children in grades four through six of above average ability. Discusses the purposes and syllabus for the program. Provides a summary of a typical daily agenda and discusses events that occurred during the two-week period. (CW)

Implementation of science curriculum materials has been a fundamental challenge in science education for decades. Policy researchers have argued that alignment of standards, curriculum, and assessment are the key to supporting implementation. This paper focuses on teachers' perceptions of curricular alignment and on curriculum implementation using…

Discusses aims of and proposed programs at the Institute for Chemical Education. Aims include developing creative ideas to convey chemical knowledge, improving interdisciplinary links, and addressing critical issues in chemical education. One program proposed is designed to help science teachers at all levels develop K-12 chemistry supplements.…

Besides evaluating the Science-A Process Approach (SAPA) program, this study was undertaken to permit some assessment of generally accepted notions of curriculum change. It was proposed that students pursuing the SAPA program, when compared with those in a traditional program, would show a better understanding of science processes, have an…

This article presents numerous limitations in present state guidelines in regards to elementary science education and suggests to satisfy the guidelines' spirit without being stalled by their logic. (Editors/JA)

The Fairfax County, Virginia, school system makes its own science kits in a program covering 63,000 elementary school youngsters in 2,100 classrooms. (Editor)

Describes the Super Science Sleep-Over, a slumber party held at an elementary school centered around a "Kaleidoscope of Science" theme. Discusses 10 steps to organize a science sleep-over including surveying interest, recruiting instructors, developing a schedule, registering students, assigning jobs, details, the program, designing an evaluation,…

This book examines learning science from multiple perspectives--especially a child's. The whimsical character of Mary Froggins guides readers through the steps of igniting students' natural sense of wonder, incorporating brain research, integrating science concepts with other subjects, and applying science to daily life. The authors demonstrate…

Article presented solutions for recharging old, weakened magnets and suggested why the study of nature should always be of the utmost importance in elementary science. (Author/RK)

The science program of a Florida school system is used as an illustration of one approach to educational accountability. Excerpts from the law, "The Educational Accountability Act of 1971," are presented to provide a feeling for the requirements, impact and implications imposed. The program described is called "The Coordinated-Articulated Science…

The Summer Institute in Science was developed to address the need for updated information and training in physics, chemistry, and technology among elementary and secondary teachers. Three major objectives addressed were to: (1) improve teachers' understanding of basic concepts in the subject field; (2) provide teachers with training in the use of…