Teachers in Dorset and East Devon have the benefit of the Jurassic Coast on their doorstep to help them bring the 'rocks and fossils' content of the curriculum alive. Not only is the area breathtakingly beautiful, but it is also rich in educational resources. If schools are not in an area close enough to make a class visit possible, how can…

One of the important roles of HE institutions is to train graduates who will smoothly enter the labour market. The literature review demonstrates that one effective method to facilitate this transition is to ensure students acquire professional experience. The aim was to establish the scale and characteristics of employers' demand for work…

The new English Curriculum requiring not only the study of sedimentary and igneous rocks but also understanding of fossil formation, is a great opportunity to make this one of the most exciting units any science teacher can present. When an animal or plant dies, it "disappears" completely as it is degraded by a range of organisms. It may…

A three-year project aimed at embedding seismology into schools in northern England to support the teaching of the earth science strands in the National Curriculum for England and Wales is described. Seismometers were deployed in a range of high schools across the Yorkshire and Humberside region. Deployment was supported by a programme of staff…

Readers of the draft new English primary science curriculum (DfE, 2012) might be concerned to see that there is much more detail on the Earth science content than previously in the United Kingdom. In this article, Chris King, a professor of Earth Science Education at Keele University and Director of the Earth Science Education Unit (ESEU),…

Surveys of the earth science content of all secondary (high school) science textbooks and related publications used in England and Wales have revealed high levels of error/misconception. The 29 science textbooks or textbook series surveyed (51 texts in all) showed poor coverage of National Curriculum earth science and contained a mean level of one…

The Ancient Greeks saw the world as earth, air, fire and water. This article presents some children's ideas about what makes up the Earth. Children were asked to share what they thought the Earth was made of, how old it is, how long it took to create, and what is inside it. The answers indicate that they often have emerging though vague ideas…

Describes a method to examine preparations of rocks in thin sections between crossed polaroids using a converted biological microscope or a homemade polariscope. (JRH)

Outlines some of the topics discussed in the Schools Council's Geology Curriculum Review Group Report which was set up to examine the place of geology in the school curriculum. Presents a graphical model showing the relationship of geology to other physical and social sciences. (CP)

Traces the growth of earth science education, and in particular geology, in English schools from the early 1800s to date. (SL)

Changes in the national secondary science curriculum in England and Wales are discussed. The new syllabus is described and the problems for science teaching created by this new curriculum are highlighted. (CW)

Described is a facility that provides practical experience with fumes, wave tanks, a wind tunnel, and rainfall simulators for public school and college students. The design of the facility, type of work done, and development of the project are discussed. (CW)

IN THIS SPECIAL EDUCATION ISSUE, JOHN SNYDER IDENTIFIES THE NEED FOR RADICAL REVISIONS IN THE TEACHING OF GEOLOGY AND DISCUSSES (1) RESEARCH ON TEACHING OF GEOLOGY, (2) CURRICULUM RESEARCH, (3) INCREASED EXPENDITURES, AND (4) EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC. T. NEVILLE GEORGE COMPARES UNIVERSITY GEOLOGY PROGRAMS IN FRANCE, ENGLAND, AMERICA, GERMANY, AND…

EXAMINATIONS USED IN AWARDING EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES TO STUDENTS IN ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN 1968 ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS MANUAL. IT IS WRITTEN PRIMARILY FOR HEADS OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS AND DESCRIBES IN DETAIL THE PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EXAMINATIONS IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS. EXAMINATIONS MAY BE TAKEN AT THE ORDINARY…

DESCRIBED IN THIS MANUAL ARE EXAMINATIONS USED IN 1966 IN AWARDING EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES TO STUDENTS IN ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND ESTABLISHMENTS FOR FURTHER EDUCATION. IT IS WRITTEN PRIMARILY FOR HEADS OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS AND DESCRIBES IN DETAIL THE PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EXAMINATIONS IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS.…