Chemistry courses remain a challenge for many undergraduate students. In particular, first-semester organic chemistry has been labeled as a gatekeeper with high attrition rates, especially among students of color. Our study examines a key factor related to conceptual understanding in science and predictive of course outcomes-knowledge structures.…

The quantitative results of Sources of Self-Efficacy in Science Courses-Physics (SOSESC-P) are presented as a logistic regression predicting the passing of students in introductory Physics with Calculus I, overall as well as disaggregated by gender. Self-efficacy as a theory to explain human behavior change [Bandura [1977] "Psychological…

Examines the views of approximately 60 secondary science teachers and university scientists from three different research projects for insight into issues of gender and ethnicity in science education. Explores the participants' professional and personal identities from the perspectives of nature of science and beliefs related to students'…

Examines students' intuitive physics ability and characteristics associated with physics competence in two studies; study one focuses on students' performance on a physics quiz and the second study focuses on exploring the personality and academic variables and also examines student's awareness of their own physics ability. (Contains 45…

Sex-related differences on Piagetian horizontality (water level) and verticality (plumb line) tasks were examined by testing 64 college students. Results showed that college-aged males and females generally did not differ in spatial competence although they may be differentially influenced by task content. Implications for theory and practice are…

Examined some of the factors that affect the academic choices that students make and the consequences of those choices for later participation in science. Results (obtained from questionnaires completed by 302 students) show that women rated their science ability lower than men, although they performed better in high school science. (JN)

Presents a study that investigated the use of a framework that incorporated analyses of the various levels of organization that characterize academic communities. Results indicated significant gender differences in the underlying factor structures of expectations and values related to the discipline of biology, and expectancy-value factors…

Feminist recommendations were incorporated in a physical science course to gain new insights into the gender issues in science. Qualitative data from (n=45) elementary education students found themes of efficacy and empowerment but also of dissidence. Contains 74 references. (Author/MKR)

This descriptive study was conducted to (1) measure anxiety levels of geology students (N=49) and earth science students (N=68) about taking these required departmental courses; (2) measure their general anxiety level; and (3) examine factors associated with student anxiety. Results (including those related to sex differences) are reported and…

Examines the relationships between self-concept and achievement in students studying genetics. Also examined were differences in self-concept and achievement between men and women and between science majors and nonscience majors. (CS)

Investigated the appropriateness of audiotutorial instruction for a wide spectrum of students. Questions whether there are significant relationships between personal traits of variables of achievement and success, whether there is a different set of personal traits for high and low achievers, and how well a battery makes ex post facto predictions.…

Examined and confirmed are differences in science and nonscience majors in the ways in which they obtain information about science and technology. Importance of these information sources was determined for each group: radio, television, newspaper, news magazine, scientific journal, family, friends, and faculty. (CS)

Investigated spatial thinking abilities of sixth- and tenth-grade students from two locales--a school on the Navajo reservation and schools in Mesa, Arizona. Overall findings support the contention that there were no substantial time delays or advances in development of selected spatial abilities of Navajo students compared to parallel non-Indian…

The National Association of Biology Teachers surveyed 1051 members to describe roles, salaries, assignments, professional activities, and evidence of discrimination within its ranks. The responses of male and female biology educators completing/returning the survey (N=509, a 48 percent response rate) are presented and discussed. Implications for…

Determines that attitudes toward science teaching is related to both gender and previous exposure to science education as a discipline. Gender favoring males was found to be a variable associated with a higher degree of positiveness of attitudes of preservice Nigerian undergraduate science teachers (N=120). (CS)