In the natural world, learning emerges from the joy of play, experimentation, and inquiry as part of everyday life. However, this kind of informal learning is often difficult to integrate within structured educational curricula. This report describes an educational program that embeds naturalistic learning into formal high school, college, and…

Schematically depicts the variety of uses the mole concept has for 0-level chemistry. (CP)

The aspect of the Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) project described in this paper was undertaken in an effort to observe the problem solving behaviors of elementary school children. The Notebook Problem consisted of presenting a student with three notebooks arranged so as to differ from each other in terms of such…

Reported is a study on the problem-solving skills of sixth-grade students. Three curricula were utilized in the study: Science - A Process Approach (SAPA), the Laidlaw textbook series, and the Environmental Studies (ES) Project materials. Twenty-seven teachers in eight schools participated. Each of the teachers taught one of the three curricula.…

Contends that school science programs should return to the visionary programs of the 1960's, which developed logical thinking and problem solving. These have since given way to a barren emphasis on fact acquisition and "cookbook" lab activities. (TE)

Argues that science programs developed during the 1960's should be replaced by "science/technology/society" (S/T/S) programs, which build on students' curiosity and concern about local problems. (TE)

Describes problem-solving activities in the Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) and Elementary Science Study (ESS) programs. Indicates that these curricula serve as excellent sources of activities to develop and improve their students' problem-solving skills. (Author/JN)

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…

Discusses reasons for the failure of the post-Sputnik science curricula and offers criteria for selecting relevant curriculum content, suggesting that these curricula focus on problem-solving. Lists seven problem areas (technological, environmental, empirical, historical, aesthetic, philosophical, and futuristic) with recommended topics for each…

Skills needed for problem-solving are discussed. Examples of defining problems, questioning, observing, classifying, predicting, and confirming are provided. An overview of the Elementary Science Study (ESS) program, including a list of ESS units (grouped by subject matter), is also provided. (Author/JN)

Describes how infants of six to seven years old can learn floating and sinking. The work described in this article was inspired by the Elementary Science Study (ESS). (HM)

The purpose of this study was to prepare a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the objectives dealing with the behaviors expected in Part 1 of the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) physics course. There were six phases to the study: (1) identification of the processes, (2) selection thereof, (3) construction of instrument, (4) pilot…

Four types of proportionality problems were administered to: (1) secondary school students who were enrolled in Project Physics, and (2) students not enrolled in physics. Both samples were randomly selected. Groups were not found to differ significantly in problem solving ability but both revealed that the ability to solve certain problems was…

Determines effect of a process-oriented science curriculum on students' (N=83) ability to transfer and utilize problem-solving skills, and the relation of basic and integrated processes to the development of those skills. Discusses methodology and implications for teaching problem solving, stressing the need for process-oriented curricula.…

Presents a project-based curriculum, Foundations of Science (FOS), that integrates the physical and biological sciences. Consists of three years of integrated science based on: integrating science disciplines, project-based science, inclusion of authentic problems, and routine uses of technology. (nine references) (JRH)