Research globally has shown that many children lose interest in science towards the end of primary school and throughout the post-primary phase. This article explores children's experience and views in Irish schools that have adopted innovative practices that aim to empower, excite and inspire children in science. One of these focuses on explicit…

Based on surveys undertaken by the Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (France's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) and by the Direction de l'évaluation de la prospective et de la performance (Directorate of Evaluation, Forecasting and Performance), this article examines the evolution of female student…

This educator guide provides background information on Wilbur and Orville Wright and activities on aeronautics that provide templates for building the 1900, 1901, and 1902 Gliders and the 1903 Flyer. Activities include: (1) Early Aviation; (2) Your First Interview; (3) Your First Report; (4) Build a Model of the 1900 Glider; (5) Questions on the…

Analyzes the attitudes of students from age 11 to 16 (n=654) towards science careers and the effect of school science on those attitudes. Discusses the implications for teaching in the context of motivational factors and highlights the need to allow students space to match their own motivational needs. Contains 13 references. (Author/JRH)

The general and creative characteristics of scientifically prone gifted youth are outlined and the importance of self concept and fostering scientific behaviors is stressed. Among characteristics identified are curiosity about what makes things work and fluency of thought. (PHR)

This paper describes a Web site containing activities for chemistry that aid student learning. Used as an adjunct to the normal classroom and laboratory sessions, instructional goals of the Web site were to provide guidance and encourage regular and timely study. Initially learners were able to review the weekly objectives, see short explanations…

After citing literature contending that science education is exclusive, academic, and devoid of inquiry orientation, this article gives principals suggestions for improving science education and making it available to all students. (MJL)

Author suggest the current unpopularity of science and technology may, in part, be a result of the nature of current provision--too much technology too soon. Suggests that pure science is what really interests bright teenagers, as well as being the seed of industrial innovation, and should be given a higher profile. (Author/PR)

Recognizing basic elements as building blocks is essential to the study of science, and looking closer at one element in particular, chlorine, can help ignite students' interest in chemistry. This document contains a 2-day study of building block chemistry using basic concepts and easy-to-find materials. Teaching materials include objectives,…

Presents a summary of recent trends in enrollments in the major subjects (with an emphasis on the sciences) offered in British secondary schools. (JR)

There are numerous reasons why students fail in science. These include lack of interest, truancy, failure to do homework, lack of organizational skills, lack of test taking skills, do not study or lack study skills, cannot comprehend the text, cannot make connections between what they learn in school and the real world, and teaching quality. This…

Presents a latent Markov model in which the latent states are regressed on time-constant and time-varying covariates by means of a system-logit model. In an illustration, 541 secondary-school students' interest in physics at different times is explained by the time-constant covariate sex and the time-varying covariate physics grade. (SLD)

Carries out a study into the choice of physics in secondary education against a background of disappointing percentages of students choosing exact and technical studies and the academic choice research tradition. Focuses on the predictive value of certain characteristics of the curriculum, the differences between schools, and the stability of the…

Presents three quote box puzzles in which given letters are dropped vertically in each column (given order does not necessarily represent the appearance) and form a quotation when read from left to right, line by line. (YDS)