This paper summarizes a report designed to provide the National Science Board Commission with information about recent advances in cognitive/behavioral science relevant to mathematics, science, and technology education, as well as prospective contributions from these fields if adequate levels of support are available. Following a summary…

During the summer of 1986 a conference funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) was organized to assess the current state of cognitive research on the psychology of physics problem solving, and to examine the needs of physics instructors and instructional designers that must be addressed by a psychological theory of physics problem solving.…

Problem solving is often identified as a goal of science education. What is considered problem solving varies from teacher to teacher. The ultimate goal of problem-solving education has been identified as a means of helping students develop higher-order thinking skills. This ERIC digest focuses on problem solving in secondary school science as…

This investigation focuses upon the question of: (1) how naive subjects organize and represent knowledge when solving problems; (2) how previous experience of a novice is used in solving a problem; (3) what kinds of information and knowledge are sought as well as overlooked by novices when solving problems; (4) what kinds of strategies novices…

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO INVESTIGATE SPECIFIC METHODS OF DEVELOPING THE INQUIRY SKILLS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ACTIVITIES INVOLVED SELECTING SPECIFIC METHODS, GATHERING MATERIALS, AND TRAINING QUALIFIED TEACHERS. A 24-WEEK, INQUIRY TRAINING PROGRAM WAS GIVEN TO FIFTH- AND SIXTH-GRADE CHILDREN WHICH INCORPORATED--(1) ANALYSIS, (2)…

Two problem-solving IBM 1130 computers were installed in two New Orleans high schools for a project designed to enrich the mathematics, science, and physics curricula, to provide student motivation through individualized instruction, to develop course materials, to develop programing skills, and to encourage broader computer use in schools. Four…

Presents the viewpoint that science can fulfill human needs as a human activity, as a model for problem solving, and as a world view or a view of reality. Proposes a set of goals for humanized physics teaching. Suggests several approaches for infusing these goals into an overall physics education program. (TW)

Contains six articles on various aspects of British science education. Deals with problem solving, the common examining system and the science curriculum, a comparison of girls and physics in Australia and the United Kingdom, energy education, the use of observations in science and science teaching and science software. (TW)

Presents several types of functions which fit a given set of data and create opportunities for classroom discussion comparing different kinds of functions and identifying some of the potential hazards associated with extrapolation from best-fit functions. (DDR)

The current study is framed within an ongoing effort of probing students' attitudes and expectations about knowing and learning physics, which has driven several investigations during the past decade. The questionnaire we developed focuses on physics students' views regarding a variety of specific learning activities, which are presented by title…

This paper reports on the dilution effect of the ozone layer which jeopardizes a section of land in Chile from 53 degrees South latitude to 33 degrees South and the necessity of preparing the population for the possible ecological consequences of an increase in ultraviolet radiation. Scientists in Chile assume part of this task by studying the…

The goal of this guide is to provide resources for teachers and trainers to use in helping students improve their scientific thinking and problem solving skills in real-life situations. Each activity is characterized by inquiry-based learning, process skill development, and gender equity considerations. Topics for activities include problem…

This book is a collection of 66 "How Things Work" columns from the journal "The Physics Teacher," 1983-1991. All the devices and phenomena are ones that are met in everyday life, involve physics principles, and require explanations that are not immediately obvious. Topics include: touch panels in elevators, liquid crystal…

The Science in Action series is designed to teach practical science concepts to special-needs students. It is intended to develop students' problem-solving skills by teaching them to observe, record, analyze, conclude, and predict. This document contains a student workbook which deals with basic principles of physical science. Seven separate units…

It is often both possible and valuable for a teacher to be a researcher in his or her own classroom. This paper describes the nature of cognitive research and focuses on two areas of research that may be of special interest to classroom physics teachers. The first area refers to misconceptions that students bring with them to their physics…