The authors describe a Modeling Instruction program that places an emphasis on the construction and application of conceptual models of physical phenomena as a central aspect of learning and doing science. (Contains 1 table.)

Answers the question posed in the title by listing the aims of science study and advocating that courses be designed around basic themes. (GS)

Describes a method of calculating the equilibrium constant from free energy data. Values of the equilibrium constants of six Bronsted-Lowry reactions calculated by the author's method and by a conventional textbook method are compared. (LC)

Compares the effects of two problem-solving teaching approaches. Lower ability students in an activity group demonstrated superior growth in basic science understanding, &roblem-solving skills, science interests, personal adjustment, and school attitudes. Neither method favored cognitive learning by higher ability students. (PR)

Students who solved problems individually or in small informal groups understand science and scientists better than those who solved the same problems (based on BSCS Blue Version) as a class group. (AA)

Discusses a strategy for presenting science concepts via activities which include personal, self-sensitizing frames of reference for students. Examples include force and temperature measurement. (JM)

REPORTED IS A STUDY WHICH (1) ANALYZED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A TEACHING METHOD DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE THE STUDENT'S SCIENCE PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY, AND (2) INVESTIGATED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS MEASURED AND THE STUDENT'S SCIENCE BACKGROUND, CRITICAL THINKING ABILITY, AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE. CONCLUDED WAS (1) THAT THE…

This study measured the effects of teacher-directed and self-directed problem solving techniques on junior high school students' expressed attitudes about science and scientists, their achievement of understandings of science facts and principles, and the rate at which they mastered understandings of the conceptualizations of science necessary to…

Guided discovery was more effective than students performing cook book" experiments or being instructed in a didactic manner when similar curriculum materials were used. The results hold for various mental ages. (AL)

Second part of an article describing the use of programmable calculators to solve complex physics problems. (SL)

There was no significant difference in attitudes toward biology between high-ability grade nine biology students exposed to 20 randomly selected Invitations to Enquiry'' and similar students whose course did not include invitations. There is some suggestion that more difficult Invitations'' later in the course may have arrested a general decline…