Reports on the stated preferences of first-year high school students (n=499) about a range of science topics. Analyses of responses indicate that some topics were selected equally by boys and girls while other topics were selected predominantly by girls and other topics by boys. Discusses curriculum implications of the findings. (Author/JRH)

Discusses the impact that Charles Eliot had on the development of science education in America starting in the late 1800s. Describes his involvement in the development of the Harvard list of laboratory experiments suggested for all physics students to have completed nationwide for enrollment in college. (MVL)

Presented is the second of a two-part article describing the content of secondary level physics courses taught in Hungarian schools. (SL)

After publication in 1982 of the Royal Society report "Science Education 11-18 in England and Wales," the Physics Education Joint Committee of the Royal Society and Institute of Physics was established. A working party of this Joint Committee has now produced this reduced-content 16+ syllabus in physics. The main intention of the working…

This syllabus (which is not a teaching syllabus) is intended to be an essential minimum core syllabus in biology for children of all abilities. It consists of: (1) a foreword, which outlines how the syllabus was generated; (2) an introduction, which provides information about the use of the syllabus in biology teaching (for example, the local…

Presents a core syllabus for A-level physics. Includes the rationale and nature of the core as well as brief comments on major sections of the syllabus. (SK)

Describes a high school physics teaching sequence including more modern topics. The first quarter covers cosmology, astronomy, optics, wave mechanics, relativity, gravity, and quantum theory. The second quarter covers classical mechanics. The third quarter covers electromagnetism and electronics. The fourth quarter consists of thermodynamics and…

Discusses the implementation of the "Science in Society" project into Oxfordshire schools. The place of the course in sixth form schools, teacher attitudes about the course, local school initiatives, ways of overcoming problems in teaching the course, and other topics are addressed. (JN)

This article argues that Biology syllabi give insufficient attention to the role humans play in the ecological processes and interactions with their environment. Discussed are ecological studies in urban and managed habitats, using a multidisciplinary approach, and including a global perspective. (CW)

Discusses: (1) the place of physics in the 11-16 curriculum; (2) the content of physics courses; (3) physics examinations; (4) Manpower Services Commission (MSC) involvement; and (5) resources and staffing concerns. Indicates that there are difficulties in recruiting/retaining adequate physics teachers and that there are inadequate physics…

An open-ended questionnaire was given to 369 students to determine factors which influenced their decision to take 0-level or Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) technology. Indicates that parents and career interests influenced those taking the courses while lack of knowledge about course content influenced those not taking the courses. (JN)

Described is an action-learning secondary level biology course which combines science, English, and social studies. Guidelines for selecting topics to be presented and three detailed examples of topics that have been included in past courses are presented. (SL)

Choice Chemistry is a multi-level course written in a style for use in Scotland (but adaptable for other areas). Underlying course philosophies (including mastery/personalized learning approaches), course structure, and course content are discussed. (JN)

The draft version of the A-level biology common-core syllabus is currently being debated. The syllabus is included as part of a discussion highlighting its development. (JN)

Describes the content and development of a curriculum that provides an approach to descriptive chemistry and the history of technology through consideration of the pottery, metallurgy, pigments, dyes, agriculture, and medicine of pre-Columbian people. (DDR)