Initial plans for this project arose from a need to address issues of professional development of science and technology teachers that went beyond the norm available within school board settings. Two teams of 4 teachers responded to an invitation to participate in a collaborative action research project. Collaborative action research was chosen in…

This paper introduces a model for using informal science education venues as contexts within which to teach the nature of science. The model was initially developed to enable university education students to teach science in elementary schools so as to be consistent with "National Science Education Standards" (NSES) (1996) and "A Framework for…

Explores the reasons why we learn science. Asserts that 'wonder' incorporates three important dimensions: wondering about, wondering at, and wondering whether. Suggests that the system fails to trust students to learn and expects teachers to 'know it all' before beginning to teach. (Author/MM)

Investigates how scientists, from both a practical and epistemological perspective, communicated the nature and relevance of their research to classroom teachers. Determines the congruence and/or dissimilarity in how scientists described their research to teachers and how they viewed their research epistemologically. Concludes that scientists from…

The priorities for science must change to confront the social and environmental problems brought on by the policies in science and technology during the past century. Contends that educators must have a clearer, broader understanding of the nature of science, its history, and its current structure in order to effect necessary changes in science…

This proceedings covers the domain and content areas of learning and learners; curriculum and materials; instruction (including computer-assisted instruction); assessment and evaluation; history and philosophy of science; teacher preparation and professional development; and related areas of interest including environmental, special, health,…