The introductory materials science course at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Massachusetts), while still being regarded as in a state of evolution, has remained nearly constant for the past two years. Since the course is given each term, except summer, to 40-90 students of various disciplines, there has been ample opportunity for continual…

Suggests that it is time for biology curriculum planners and teachers to apply theories that explain how students acquire and retain knowledge, especially human information processing theory and the cognitive theories of Piaget. (BB)

Discusses recent approaches to curriculum design and educational research, and questions the desirability of behavioral objectives. Pleads for allowing students to set their own objectives (the intrinsic approach) rather than coercing them to achieve objectives set by curriculum designers. Discusses five assumptions basic to this approach. (EB)

Today, product liability cases seem to be increasing rapidly in both number and extent of liability of the manufacturer. Where analysis of defects and failures was once of interest to the enlightened company, it could well become a necessity for survival of all in the future. The materials engineer is likely to find many opportunities for…

Presented is a description of a physics program format used, with a high degree of success, at Boyertown Area Senior High School in Pennsylvania. The program features integration of desirable curriculum innovations such as individualization with a recognized curriculum (Project Physics) while maintaining the quality of a solid first year physics…

As a supplement to the principal reports, a total of 776 verbal behavioral objectives are incorporated in this document relating to the U. S. Naval Academy Self-Paced Physics Course. The objectives are related to the following aspects: physical measurements, frames of reference, significant figures, statics, dynamics, kinematics, electricity, and…

Summarizes the characteristics of critical path methods for preparing curricula, including behavioral definitions of curriculum objectives, module lengths, effects of published network of prerequisites on individually paced learning, and forms of network-based planning. Indicates that the network planning has the advantage of clarifying the place…

Curriculum development would be greatly aided if it could be demonstrated that certain instructional techniques have a generalization effect that encompasses several content settings. The evidence that transfer does occur within the learning process is strong enough to warrant this study into the generalization of science instruction. It was…

This publication is a curriculum guide intended to help implement coordinated K-12 science programs by serving as a framework of reference. The performance objectives that should be developed by students who study science are written in general terms and constitute the heart of the volume. The lists of performance objectives include the processes…

The authors describe the development of a curriculum evaluation scheme: the history, literature search, categorization scheme, development of objectives, technical problems, and the future of the model. A sample of the category scheme is included, as well as some performance objectives, definitions of operational verbs used in the objectives, and…

As a revised version of the Scottish Integrated Science, an outline of the Malaysian science course is presented in this volume for use as a guideline for science teaching at the secondary level. A total of 16 sections is included in three forms which are intended to be covered in three years. The topics include: lab techniques, unit systems,…

Describes a college genetics course for prospective biology teachers that was designed by a systems strategy including: (1) defining objectives and delineating subject content; (2) management of methods and resources; and (3) evaluation. (LS)

A premature embarkation in specialized areas of fluid mechanics by the beginning graduate student, without having first thoroughly learned the basics, leads to learning difficulties and destroys zeal for learning. To avoid these problems, many schools in the U.S. offer beginning graduate courses in fluid mechanics (BGCFM). Because the success or…

Presented is an elementary school science program designed to offer a basic continuum of process objectives and concepts. A brief history of the development of the Wappingers Central School District's Elementary Science Committee is presented to help lay the groundwork for the redesigning of the science program described. Potential advantages…