In this paper, we argue that the current science curricula are failing to educate students to be competent outsiders to science. Historically, science education has rested on two premises. The first is that it is possible for students to acquire sufficient scientific knowledge from K-12 education to become intellectually independent. That is that…

In this article, we argue for a new rationale for the science curriculum that is more coherent and more useful than the crosscutting concepts of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In an effort to provide both clarity and justification for the science curriculum, we contend that a framework based on the idea that there are six…

The USA has had a new set of science standards entitled the Next Generation Science Standards since 2014. While their adoption has not been ubiquitous, as curriculum choices are a state rather than a federal decision, they have been adopted by 19 states (plus the District of Columbia). Moreover, they have been influential on the curriculum choices…

Investigates pupils' perceptions of their experience with school science. Documents a range of views that pupils held about the science curriculum, aspects they found either interesting and/or valuable, and their views about its future content. Conducts 20 focus groups with 144 16-year-old students. Pupils' perspectives of school science reveal…

Describes four projects: (1) using diagnostic assessment to improve science learning; (2) issues in the implementation of evidence-based approaches in science education; (3) teaching pupils 'ideas-about-science'; and (4) understanding the researcher-user interface. Describes projects that are focused on curriculum development and explores how…

Recent arguments in science education have proposed that school science should pay more attention to teaching the nature of science and its social practices. However, unlike the content of science, for which there is well-established consensus, there would appear to be much less unanimity within the academic community about which…

This paper argues that the dominant form of science education that is common across the world rests on a set of values that have no merit. Moreover, such practice has a negative impact on students' attitudes to science. It makes the case that the primary goal of any science education should be to develop scientific literacy and explores what that…

Draws on contemporary scholarship in the field of rhetoric and on recent research in science education conducted from a rhetorical perspective. Contends that such a perspective provides a useful insight into the aims and purposes of the science teacher. (Author/MM)

Investigates parents' and students' view of science education and its success. Uses focus groups for data collection, which provides an environment for the challenge of different participant views. Includes recommendations for the improvement of schools science. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/YDS)

Presents Unit Nine Change and Chance of the Nuffield Advanced Physics, dealing with energy conservation, and a novel statistical approach to diffusion, thermal equilibrium and thermodynamics. Information about energy resources, alternative sources of energy, and energy-cost of materials are also presented. (HM)

Presents and recommends the rationale for a primary science curriculum characterized by reduced content, breadth and balance, and a focus on investigative activities. Contains 128 references. (DDR)

Reports on Project 3 from the Evidence-based Practice in Science Education (EPSE) Research Network. This project explores issues surrounding the inability of many science teachers to enable students to understand the nature of science. (DDR)

This article offers a review of the major literature about attitudes to science and its implications over the past 20 years. It argues that the continuing decline in numbers choosing to study science at the point of choice requires a research focus on students' attitudes to science if the nature of the problem is to be understood and remediated.…