Since its inception, NASA's Science Activation program has demonstrated considerable success in leveraging the agency's strong public reputation and resources to engage a diversity of audiences in science education projects nationwide. As the program nears the end of this second five-year funding cycle, NASA tasked the National Academies with…

Two leading science educators provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-field analysis of current trends in the research, policy, and practice of science education. This book offers valuable insights into why gaps in science achievement among racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic groups persist, and points toward practical means of…

This book examines learning science from multiple perspectives--especially a child's. The whimsical character of Mary Froggins guides readers through the steps of igniting students' natural sense of wonder, incorporating brain research, integrating science concepts with other subjects, and applying science to daily life. The authors demonstrate…

This book is intended to inform its readers of the conditions that might warrent special attention within the next five years involving current and emerging problems of significance that are identified through scientific research, or in which scientific or technical considerations are of major significance; and opportunities for and constraints on…

Students must be educated about the planet on which they live. This book presents instructional ideas for anyone who is charged with developing an environmental program for students. Chapter 1, "The Whys, Whats and Ways of Earth Education," provides a description of the program and how it can be used to teach students of their role in…

This document presents the National Science Foundation (NSF) review of science education strategies and models that have been developed and pursued via NSF support during the period 1959-1976. The review describes how federal policy and strategies on science education have changed over time and how they have affected programs and budgets. Also…

This booklet describes the history of the space shuttle, especially after the Challenger accident. Topics include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Return to Flight: The Recovery"; (3) "Space Shuttle Chronology"; (4) "Examples of Other Modifications on Shuttle's Major Systems"; (5) "Space Shuttle Recovery…

Many educators advocate the use of projects in the science classroom. This document describes an effort (LabNet) that has successfully implemented a program that allows students to learn science using projects. Chapter 1, "An Introduction to LabNet" (Richard Ruopp, Megham Pfister), provides an initial framework for understanding the…

This booklet describes the manned space flight record of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Sections include: (1) "The Early Days" (describing the Mercury and Gemini missions); (2) "Going to the Moon" (summarizing the Apollo missions); (3) "An Orbital Workshop" (discussing three manned skylab…

This four-part book shows how teachers, counselors, directors, and administrators can assess and evaluate their mathematics and science programs. The examples provided are drawn primarily from programs for women, but the methodology is generalizable to interventions for various populations. The two chapters in part I give an overview of the…

The purpose of this book is to increase awareness of the numerous seminars, short courses, field courses, workshops, and programs for teachers, students, naturalists, and independent scholars. These programs emphasize the natural sciences including general biology, botany, zoology, ecology, marine biology, ichthyology, microbiology, natural…

Science and technology centers, which are relative newcomers to the museum field, differ from traditional museums in a number of respects. They are concerned with furthering public understanding and appreciation of the physical and biological sciences, engineering, technology, and health and seek to accomplish this goal by making museums both…

The theme of the eighth yearbook of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science (AETS) involves the improvement of instructional practices in science at the middle school level. An initial chapter provides an operational definition of the middle school. Five chapters follow which provide information on various sources of educational…

This book focuses on the professional development of teachers and discusses issues related to science education reform. The content of the book is divided into two parts. Part 1, Professional Development: Implications for Science Leadership, chapters include: (1) "The Role of the Science Leader in Implementing Standards-Based Science Programs"…

The aim of this book is to provide a resource for classroom teachers to develop students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills that would prepare them to become more scientifically literate. By articulating a clear theoretical framework coupled with accessible teaching strategies, it is designed to help teachers who feel unprepared for and intimidated…