Background: Students' satisfaction with science education is one of the preconditions for the students' future interest in pursuing an academic career in science. However, to date it is still not clear what particular teaching strategies promote students' satisfaction with science and, specifically, what opportunities for promoting this…

Outreach efforts directed toward improving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) literacy are vitally important to ensure that all of our citizens are prepared to fully participate in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world. Attempts to maximize the effectiveness of STEM outreach has focused on younger populations,…

Focusing on two bilingual children experiencing learning difficulties, I explore the scientific representations these students generate in an afterschool programme where they have opportunities to exercise agency. In the programme, children use a digital camera to document science in their lives and engage in conversations about the products they…

This qualitative study examines the transition of eight elementary preservice teachers into student teaching after participating in a science methods course that included a significant amount of teaching after-school science to elementary grade students. These eight participants had a chance to practice teaching inquiry-based science and to reform…

Describes the Henrico County (VA) Public School System's astronomy program, identified as an outstanding program by the National Science Teachers Association's Search for Excellence in Science Education project. Unique aspects of the astronomy program, instructional strategies used, and program activities are discussed. (BC)

Describes Salt Lake City's (Utah) East High School science club, recognized by the National Science Teachers Association's Search for Excellence in Science Education project as an outstanding science program. Unique aspects of the club's activities, instructional strategies, and other areas are discussed. (BC)

This paper reports on the evaluation of six pilot programs conducted in four Texas school districts to provide summer and after-school instruction for 2,084 students. The programs are described in terms of commonalities--cost, morale, transportation; and differences or contrasts--scheduling, cost, student identification, program philosophy,…