The authors describe a model for embedding science communication into the science curriculum without displacing science content. They describe the rationale, development, design, and implementation of two courses taught by science faculty addressing these criteria. They also outline the evaluation plan for these courses, which emphasize broad…

The science curriculum to age 16 should be judged on how well it meets the needs of students who progress to A-level science courses and those (a larger number) who do not. To address the diversity of students' interests and aspirations, we need a clear view of the purposes of science education rooted in a view of the purposes of education itself.…

We present the most recent steps undertaken to reform the introductory algebra-based course at The George Washington University. The reform sought to help students improve their problem-solving performance. Our pedagogy relies on didactic constructs such as the" GW-ACCESS problem-solving protocol," "instructional sequences" and…

This paper reflects upon the development of a multidisciplinary lesson plan aimed at developing science skills for Physics and Astronomy, Geographical and Earth Sciences, and Chemistry students at a research intensive Scottish university. The lesson plan was co-developed with a small group of staff and undergraduate students from these…

This article considers the extent to which the English National Curriculum for science has influenced practice and learning outcomes, and briefly reviews the mechanisms through which this influence is exerted. It identifies and discusses three central issues for the review that is now in progress: the structure of the science curriculum; the…

The Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences at Notre Dame University--Louaize, conscious to the need of experts in the emerging field of sustainability and to the role that an educational institution plays for the service of the community, introduced into the university curricula a major in environmental science. This paper will present the…

This article discusses a systematic approach to designing significant learning experiences, often referred to as the "backward design process," which has been popularized by Wiggins and McTighe (1998) and is included as a central feature of L. Dee Fink's model for integrated course design (Fink, 2003). The process is referred to as backward…

Describes general and specific didactic profiles of engineering courseware for evaluating a curriculum. To carry out a diagnosis of written material, the two profiles and a complexity facet were prepared. Provides a model in the self-instructional course, Digital System. (YP)

This report was produced by the Sedro-Woolley Project which has the goal of infusing environmental education into the whole curriculum of a school district. Included are assumptions which the author believes are appropriate to environmental education; a relating of these assumptions to some topics of chemistry and physics; an outline of specific…

This syllabus, which has evolved from the New York State Experimental Biology program, includes a basic core and six optional extended areas designed to be interesting and meaningful to the types of students currently taking the Regents Examination in Biology. The seven core unit topics are: (1) The Study of Life; (2) Maintenance in Animals; (3)…

This publication developed by the New York State Education Department with the cooperation of the University of the State of New York, is a curriculum guide for elementary science (grade 4-6). This guide is organized around 6 large subject areas: (1) Living things; (2) Our growing bodies; (3) Air, water and weather; (4) The earth and its…

Future science curricula should recognize the interaction of science, technology, and society and should give students the skills for learning and applying scientific knowledge, an awareness of ethics and values in science, and a future perspective. The organization of science courses should vary with the type of learning desired. (Author/RW)

Contained in this newsletter are several articles pertaining to activities of the Engineering Concepts Curriculum Project at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, New York. Two are of major concern. One deals with the development of a laboratory science course for senior high school students to improve technological literacy and entitled…

Advocates the use of minicourses in teaching secondary school science. Topics are suggested and methods for structuring minicourses are discussed. (JR)

Suggests: (1) a "coherent" approach featuring mutual reinforcement, unifying themes, the easy incorporation of seemingly isolated facts, and growing powers of predictability: (2) incorporation of current research findings; and (3) special topics, in addition to basics. Suggests "Account of Chemical Research" as a source for…