Researchers of science education, historians, and philosophers of science agree that the teaching of nature of science (NOS) is important to be integrated into K-12 classes. Our previous research showed that NOS is not embedded into science teaching in Greece. To study the possibility of its integration, a PD-program for in-service science…

American K-12 school curricula are often bereft of acknowledgements of the historical contributions of Arab societies to our present-day intellectual heritage, an oversight most apparent in the sciences. Teachers in a thriving democracy are obliged to introduce contemporary scholarship that reflects the contributions of Arab scientists between the…

The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Education Policy." Contents include: (1) Legislative Sessions Constrained by…

William Buckland (1784-1846) first identified and scientifically studied coprolites in the early 1820s. Although some of his contemporaries did not look favorably upon him or his research, Buckland's early experiments advanced paleoecology and taphonomy. Because our informal presentations with coprolites resulted in students' spirited reactions,…

Visual representations are ubiquitous in modern-day science textbooks and have in recent years become an object of criticism and scrutiny. This article examines the extent to which changes in representations in textbooks published in the USA over the past six decades have invited those critiques. Drawing from a correlational analysis of a corpus…

Recently, the nature of science (NOS) has become recognized as an important element within the K-12 science curriculum. Despite differences in the ultimate lists of recommended aspects, a consensus is emerging on what specific NOS elements should be the focus of science instruction and inform textbook writers and curriculum developers. In this…

This book uses a biographical pattern to trace the history of physics teaching. Whenever possible the story of an influential person or institution is used to tell the story of that period. The book begins with the contributions of the Greeks, the Romans, and the Arabs to physics and its teaching. Chapters include: (1) "The First Beginnings of…

Discusses the efforts of the Lewis and Clark expedition to conduct what amounted to the first national biological survey. A sidebar examines current U.S. Department of Interior plans to create the National Biological Survey to record every species of plant and animal in the country. (LZ)

Argues that not every disappearing technology deserves that fate and presents 10 technologies that have an elegance and simplicity the winners lack such as the electric trolley, pneumatic post, Amiga, ribbon microphone, WordStar, Edison's wax cylinder, slide rule, reel mover, automatic watch, and airship. (Author/ASK)

This document highlights key moments in the history of science chosen for their national impact and for the insight they provide on the values and principles that guide the inner workings of the National Science Board (NSB) in its governance of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its role in national policy. This brochure takes a walk…

Discusses the events in the ninth century that moved astronomy away from the pursuit of mystical hermetic sciences and astrology back toward observation and measurement. Describes the achievements of astronomers and the instruments and calculations used during that period. (JRH)

This book describes major events in the history of the creationism/evolution controversy in the United States. While writing these chapters, the author visited key places and museums (e.g., the Scopes Trial Museum, Arlington National Cemetery), interviewed important participants in court cases (e.g., Susan Epperson, Don Aguillard), and studied…

Reviews and evaluates the contribution of historical studies in science education with particular reference to the case of England and Wales, where there are a series of challenges that threaten to undermine the enterprise as a whole. Contains 67 references. (DDR)

United States patents are a source of historical information with many implications for science teaching. Using patents as science teaching devices has been largely ignored by science educators. Some of these devices can be easily modified for use in today's classrooms; in addition, patents serve as great examples of how our knowledge of science…