Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S. workers lack fundamental knowledge in these fields. To address the critical issues of U.S.…

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) was tasked with identifying the key science concepts for science literacy in K-12 students in America (AAAS, 1990, 1993). The AAAS Atlas of Science Literacy (2001) has organized roughly half of these science concepts or benchmarks into fifty flow charts. Each flow chart or strand map…

Scientific terms and names included in "Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know" are analyzed and geology related terms are listed. Some items not listed are considered. (RH)

What is science for a child? How do children learn about science and how to do science? Drawing on a vast array of work from neuroscience to classroom observation, "Taking Science to School" provides a comprehensive picture of what we know about teaching and learning science from kindergarten through eighth grade. By looking at a broad range of…

Describes a biology course to meet the needs of nontraditional students. Included is information on the course including the needs, beginnings, framework of basic concepts with a multisensory approach, and course objectives. Reports the data showing student success. (YP)

During the last 10 years, cognitive science researchers have produced research findings that have great potential for increasing students' understanding of science. However, commercial publishers continue to produce textbooks and teacher's guides in traditional ways. This project developed a prototype unit which used an alternative approach to…

This paper compares the old and new curricula of elementary mathematics and natural science in the Republic of China. This study, as the second phase of an evaluation period, tested a sample of the students while they were in the ninth grade and compared them to students who received the old curricula during their elementary studies. The data were…

A packet of supplementary materials for eighth grade science instruction for limited-English-proficient students is intended for beginning and intermediate students of English as a second language (ESOL). It contains worksheets and activities designed to increase student participation, challenge them within their language ability, create positive…

This paper, designed to be used in conjunction with a video-tape developed by the Learning in Science Project (Primary)--LISP(P)--shows excerpts from some of the interview schedules used to examine children's ideas about floating and sinking. These interviews involved the use of "interview-about-instances" (IAI) cards (included in an…

This study investigated the meanings and ideas held and questions asked by children (ages 7-14) about floating and sinking (in water). Data were collected from interviews using "interview-about-instances" (IAI) cards (included in an appendix) and 10 objects which either floated or sank. Additional data were collected from classroom…

The Learning in Science Project (Primary)--LISP(P)--investigated the ideas and interests children have about hot and cold. Data were obtained from 25 children (12 boys and 13 girls), ages 8 to 11, using the "interview-about-instances" (IAI) procedure. Areas investigated included: (1) the meanings of the words…

Research studies have indicated the role curriculum plays in the crisis confronting science education. Many states have begun to reorganize and evaluate their science curricula for a more coherent and improved educational program. Curricular changes have traditionally included teacher input through a local school district committee. Information…

Two booklets were developed by the Learning in Science Project (Primary)--LISP(P)--to help teachers adopt an approach to primary science teaching which would enhance children's understanding of floating and sinking. Both booklets were designed to enable teachers to reconceptualize their teaching task from activity-driven, didactic teaching to…

This document reports the state of science achievement of Japanese students based on the Second International Science study conducted in 1983-84. Results are compared to the first study conducted in 1970. The target populations, samples, and structure of the second study are described. Test results including score distribution and high and low…

The purpose of this document is to provide a framework for school districts to use in the development of K-12 science curricula. The framework focuses on those ideas, skills, and attitudes that have the greatest educational significance for enabling the achievement of scientific literacy by all students. The scope of the Arizona Science Essential…