This article describes key facets of the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE), a curriculum that emerged in the United Kingdom, enabling teachers to accelerate the process of cognitive development so that more students could attain the higher-order thinking skills (formal operational thinking) required (Lecky, 2012). CASE, also…

Uses a Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) as an indicator of field-independency in an investigation with college graduate students. Results reveal that GEFT scores were not affected by the treatment of 18 hours of instruction in Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) materials or by pretesting effects. (CP)

This instrument contains activities by which one can determine a child's intellectual development in: (1) observing, (2) classifying, (3) measuring, (4) using numbers, (5) using space/time relationships, (6) inferring, and (7) communicating and predicting. The seven sections of the instrument correspond to those processes defined in Science - A…

The author attempts to show the development of logical-empirical knowledge structures from the raw elements in nature to the structures of knowledge as perceived by the mature student. Eighteen hypotheses are identified which focus on the expected relative natures of perceived knowledge structures of the various agental groups and their…

Evaluates the Nuffield Combined Science program in terms of the Piagetian developmental levels required for successful achievement in the various program divisions. (CP)

Reports on the administration of a biology cognitive preference test to 177 science-oriented high school students. Subjects were asked to rank responses or "extension statements" to items according to their preference. It was found that the high-ability students as a group had a very high preference for questioning and low preference for recall.…

The purpose of this study was to select a high school using the Individualized Instructional System (ISIS) materials and the Introductory Physical Science (IPS) course and to detect any changes in the students' attitudes toward science and ability to employ specific processes of science at the end of a semester of coursework. Wayne, Nebraska, High…

Examines whether elementary school children's cognitive achievement in science process skills increases significantly because of teacher training in the Individualized Science (IS) materials. Investigates the effects of teacher training in the IS materials on teachers' attitudes and skill achievement. (GA)

This study examined whether a relationship existed between field-dependence-independence and scientific attitudes of sixth-grade students in SCIS. Findings indicated that such a relationship was not statistically significant. (Author/DS)

Reported is a study of the generalizing of process skills developed in elementary science to objectives of Florida history. The study involved the comparison of two groups: one which had highly systematic instruction in the development of process skills in science having had the program Science - A Process Approach and one which had no direct…

The study of science involves learning the processes of science as well as its content. The recent revival of interest in developing thinking skills has encouraged added emphasis on process skills instruction. A science teacher wanting to add instruction of process skills is faced with several problems: (1) texts and lab manuals are not likely to…

Compared is an inquiry-oriented Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) style laboratory approach with a more directive traditional approach on student outcomes in the cognitive and affective domains of learning. Differences in science achievement, reasoning ability, attitude, and stages of development are discussed. (KR)

The purposes of this study were to investigate: (1) effectiveness of three small group teaching methods on the acquisition and retention of seriation abilities; (2) transfer of seriation abilities using the three treatments; and (3) relationship between visual and nonvisual seriation abilities. One hundred twenty first grade Canadian students were…

Research on the development of ability to control variables during adolescence is reviewed. The first section discusses studies by Piaget and his collaborators, replications of Piaget's studies, and related studies by other investigators. Factors which influence performance on controlling variables tasks are delineated; the existence of Piaget's…

Common misconceptions of children that may interfere with their learning science are discussed, including three aspects of science programs: complexity, fragility, and unclear learning outcomes. Special attention is given to the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS). Methods for solving problems dealing with students' misconceptions are then…