Provides an overview of the problems, unanswered questions, proposed solutions, and reform efforts in science education. (ZWH)

Offers a rationale for and definition of science education, namely, the discipline concerned with the study of the interaction of science and society, the impact of science upon society, as well as the impact of society upon science. (JN)

Presents a review and analysis of major reform efforts in science education and summarizes the Constructivist Learning Theory. Contends that changes in teaching, not curriculum, are the key to effective reform. (51 references) (Author/MKR)

Suggests that the new context for school science focuses on the real world, real people, and real issues. Areas considered include current problems in science education, the need for a new context, recommendations for a K-12 science curriculum, the science/technology/society (STS) movement, and STS curricula and programs. (JN)

A project is described wherein the major activity is assistance to schools for implementing or revising science curriculum programs in Iowa schools. Programs emphasized include all grade levels. Assistance is provided in the areas of mathematics and social studies as well as science. A K-12 Environmental Studies Program was developed by the…

Offers a rationale for science education that utilizes a science-technology-society (STS) framework. The recommended STS framework can give meaning to efforts to define a K-12 science curriculum, to describe appropriate teaching behaviors and desirable student actions, and to formulate meaningful research questions. (JN)

Discusses reasons why nutrition should be stressed in secondary school biology programs. (CS)

Predicts the effects of today's secondary science education curriculum on the competencies of students who have experienced it. (JG)

Using Project Synthesis as an example of qualitative synthesis research in science education, discusses the characteristics of such research: using research teams to provide perspectives and viewpoints; using variety of data sources; including a conceptual scheme for accomplishing synthesis; and concluding with, among others, an analysis of…

Visits to six school districts which were identified by the National Science Teachers Association's Search for Excellence program were made during 1983 by teams of 17 researchers. Their reports were analyzed in search for common characteristics that can explain the requirements necessary for excellent science programs. These characteristics are…

Discusses criteria used in selecting the 1982 Search for Excellence in Science Education (SESE) exemplary elementary science, inquiry, science/technology/science programs. Includes lists of winners in these three areas. (JN)

Elaborates on the components of five domains of a taxonomy for science educators' concerns for teaching and curriculum development: information, process, creativity, attitude, and applications domain. (YP)

Describes Science/Technology/Society (STS) curriculum efforts in the United States which grew out of Project Synthesis. Discusses STS, biology, and life science education. (PR)

Analysis of curriculum reform efforts of the 1960s is presented. Failure to state the problems and to engage all those interested, involved, and affected is noted by author. Instead of proceeding with the same tactics and using the same rationale for new reforms, a rationale for focusing upon instructional goals and enlarging the research and…

Discusses survey results which focused on changes in service club members' perception of the science curriculum. Responses indicated an increase in the acceptance of the Project Synthesis goals between the years 1982 and 1984. (ML)