This study examined prospective elementary education majors' science teaching self-efficacy while they were enrolled in an introductory geology lab course for elementary education majors. The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument Form B (STEBI-B) was administered during the first and last lab class sessions. Additionally, students were…

The author uses the Bible as a reference for earth science. Continental drift and tectonics are two of the geological phenomena discussed from a biblical perspective. (MK)

Field investigations are not characterized by randomized and manipulated control group experiments; however, most school science and high-stakes tests recognize only this paradigm of investigation. Scientists in astronomy, genetics, field biology, oceanography, geology, and meteorology routinely select naturally occurring events and conditions and…

Discusses implications of utilizing the term "up" to signify north and "down" to signify south in map instruction. Included are several strategies to avoid possible confusion, especially in young children of indiscriminate interchange of the terms. (SL)

A phenomenological approach was used to investigate the longitudinal recollections of participants of an out-of-school science program. The experience was a field trip to the Shenandoah National Park (USA) conducted in the fall of 2004. The science topic was geologic history and features related to the Shenandoah Valley. Two major themes relating…

Moh's scale for determining the hardness of substances is explained. Four classroom exercises are suggested. (MK)

A learning cycle activity which allows students to practice process skills by sieving different size fractions of sediments is described. Science topics include weathering, erosion, streams, sedimentation, sedimentary rocks, soils, beaches, dunes, or glacial deposits. Mathematics topics include number lines, ordinal numbers, greater than/less…

Reports findings of a national evaluation of the Crustal Evolution Education Project focusing on student/teacher characteristics and student achievement and attitudes. Evaluation objectives, design of evaluation, instruments and methods of data collection are included. Directions developed for center coordinators/test teachers and samples of…

Describes how college students enrolled in a course in elementary algebra apply graphing and algebra to data collected from a seismic profile to uncover the structure of a subterranean rock formation. Includes steps guiding the activity. (MDH)