In recent years, there has been a strong push to transform STEM education at K-12 and collegiate levels to help students learn to think like scientists. One aspect of this transformation involves redesigning instruction and curricula around fundamental scientific ideas that serve as conceptual scaffolds students can use to build cohesive knowledge…

The article describes the analysis of the Italian physics curriculum documents in terms of the coverage of nature of science (NOS). NOS is not explicitly presented as part of the Italian high-school physics curriculum. The article focuses on analysing the implicit aspects of the curriculum documents. The Family Resemblance Approach (FRA) to NOS…

The research aim was to identify the effect of revising the thematic unit "Changes in Chemical Reactions" using IBSE (based on confirmation inquiry) in the 8th grade of secondary school. This thematic unit is taught in chemistry lessons in the 2nd term of the 7th grade. A set of activities verified by a piece of pilot research was used…

The integration of career and technical education (CTE) and academic curricular content that capitalizes on natural and inherent connections represents a challenge for CTE professionals. The purpose of this study was to employ Bloom's revised taxonomy (Anderson, Krathwohl, Airasian, Cruiskshank, Mayer, Pintrich, Raths, & Wittrock, 2001) to…

The use of drawing in the classroom has a contentious history in the U.S. education system. While most instructors and students agree that the activity helps students focus and observe more details, there is a lack of empirical data to support these positions. This study examines the use of three treatments (writing a description, drawing a…

Investigates physics students' understanding of vector addition, magnitude, and direction for problems presented in graphical form. Indicates that many students retained significant conceptual difficulties regarding vector methods that are heavily employed throughout the physics curriculum. (Author/KHR)

Describes a study in which groups of high school students of differing ability were presented different introductory "organizers" to test effectiveness of this learning aid in incorporating new material. Results from performance tests and three-week retention tests are reported. Suggested are modes of application for use of organizers in…

The objectives outlined for the seminar included the identification of learning problems encountered in curriculum projects in Asia and the development of solutions for these in the light of past or future research on concept development. The report is divided into six chapters. Chapter one presents a comprehensive review of literature on the…

The Institute for Science Education (IPN) at the University of Kiel is a supraregional research Institute which conducts research, through multidisciplinary approaches, in the field of science education. The IPN carries on this research from the psychological and social aspects, develops science curriculum materials, and evaluates their effects in…

Analyzes the meaning of Piaget's concept of abstraction and provides discussion of some of its shortcomings. (HM)

It is now almost universally acknowledged that science education must be rejuvenated to serve the needs of American society. An emerging science of science education based on recent advances in psychological research could make this rejuvenation dramatic. Four aspects of psychological research relevant to science curriculum design are discussed:…

Elaborates on the concept of information going through a cultural revolution. Suggests that students require active intellectual skills such as the ability to scan, to make connections, and to manipulate many forms of information. Argues that science educators need to reconceptualize the theory and practice of learning in a digital age.…

Explains the place of science process skills in a quality science program. Introduces activities for the basic and integrated science skills that will lead to an understanding of the basic element of scientific literacy. Describes definitions, activities, and assessment techniques for developing interpreting data, controlling variables,…

Discusses previous attempts to confront the issues of how to deal with the competing views of science. Suggests an alternative approach for integrating nature of science issues into the school science curriculum. States that educators must accept that no single nature of science exists. Includes references. (CMK)