STEM education in elementary school is guided by the understanding that engineering represents the application of science and math concepts to make life better for people. The Engineering Design Process (EDP) guides the application of creative solutions to problems. Helping teachers understand how to apply the EDP to create lessons develops a…

This research is concerned with preservice teacher understanding of six earth and space science concepts that are often taught in elementary school: the reason for seasons, phases of the moon, why the wind blows, the rock cycle, soil formation, and earthquakes. Specifically, this study examines the effect of readings, hands-on learning stations,…

Reports a synthesis of existing research on children's misconceptions relating to weather, climate, and the atmosphere. Presents scientifically accepted interpretations in tandem with children's naive ideas. (Author/MM)

Discusses problems with science education in schools in the context of their causes, including a dysfunctional working definition of science. Describes and illustrates the Science/Technology/Society movement as a potential means to correct these problems. Presents examples derived from statewide efforts in Iowa. (14 references) (Author/MKR)

Many years ago, Arons pointed out the incomprehension science students exhibit of the basic mathematical operations multiplication and division and the need to address the problem in physics classes to assure student understanding of the physical world. McDermott et al.'s Physics by Inquiry program does address this need directly and in detail (by…

Explores common alternative conceptions of a natural science topic familiar to students that was part of the regular curriculum. Finds that similar misconceptions are evident in upper and lower elementary school students. (Author/CCM)

Investigated was the influence of an instructional strategy to help freshmen undergraduate students overcome misconceptions regarding the nature of evolutionary theory. Discusses the strategy that included writing statements, small group discussion, teacher presentation, interactive lecture/discussion, and individual reflections. (YP)

Presents correct solutions to an osmosis problem of two high school science students who relied on inaccurate and inappropriate conceptual knowledge. Identifies characteristics of the problem solvers, salient properties of the problem that could contribute to the problem misrepresentation, and spurious correct answers. (27 references) (Author/MKR)

The effects of bridging analogies teaching strategy and gender on Turkish high school students' misconceptions in mechanics were investigated. After a pilot study with 67 students in a nearby high school, the researchers' administered the revised Mechanics Misconception Test to 119 high school students as a pretest. Students in the experimental…

Raises questions regarding what students are perceiving when concrete models are used to represent abstract scientific concepts. Discussion of several exploratory investigations on the role of models in science teaching is presented in three areas: (1) interactions with students; (2) effectiveness of models; and (3) spatial ability and models.…

Two studies examined the construction of children's beliefs about projectile motion of a ball rolled off a table. Describes the concepts used by children, analyzes their use as a function of age, and gives a naturalistic description of their use. Results indicate that appropriate instruction can remediate misconceptions. (MDH)

Reports that young children in the pedestrian accident prone age range of four-eight years hold a variety of naive conceptions regarding speed. Proposes a primary science unit using a conceptual change approach. (MVL)