This paper describes how plate tectonics and rock genesis, two topics that are typically addressed separately in secondary Earth science classes, can be taught together as an integrated system. We define the TecRocks Reasoning Framework, developed to support student reasoning about rock formation situated in the context of plate tectonics. We also…

Despite significant pressure to reform science teaching and learning in K12 schools, and a concurrent call to reform undergraduate courses, higher education science content courses have remained relatively static. Higher education science faculty have few opportunities to explore research on how people learn, examine state or national science…

Along with the need to make their curriculum more comprehensive and reflective of the national and state standards, one school district also searched for ways to make students more passionate about learning science. As a result, they developed a new integrated science course that is centered around the environmental and Earth sciences with an…

This study compared the efficacy of 3 approaches to professional development in middle school Earth science organized around the principles of Understanding by Design (Wiggins & McTighe, 1998) in a sample of 53 teachers from a large urban district. Teachers were randomly assigned to a control group or to 1 of 3 conditions that varied with…

This book represents the final report of the planning phase in the development of an instructional system to be implemented at Cubberley High School in the Palo Alto Unified School District. The purpose of this project is to develop a pilot science learning system in the earth/life sciences. The systems analysis approach was utilized in an attempt…

Reviews history of earth science in secondary schools. From early nineteenth century to the present, earth science (and its antecedents, geology, physical geography, and astronomy) has had an erratic history for several reasons, but particularly because of lack of earth science teacher-training programs. (BR)

Four compulsory introductory activities involving learning to use a stream tray, observing the relationship between water speed and entraining, transporting and depositing sediments, studying the formation of sedimentary rocks, and examining several types of sedimentary rocks are completed by all students using the unit prepared for Australian…

This study investigated the effect voluntary or mandatory adoption of the Earth Science curriculum had on instructional procedures, teacher educational opinion, student achievement in earth science, and student ability to employ the processes of science. Selection of teachers resulted in three groups: (A) those forced to adopt the new syllabus,…

THE METHODS, MATERIALS, AND CONTENT FOR A RECOMMENDED EIGHTH GRADE SCIENCE COURSE ARE DESCRIBED. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS OF RECENT TRENDS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION, THE RATIONALE FOR AN EARTH SCIENCE COURSE, AND QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOR TEACHING THE COURSE. THE EARTH SCIENCE COURSE CONTENT IS DIVIDED INTO SEVEN UNITS. THE FOLLOWING…

The purpose of this study, a doctoral thesis project, was to determine the attitudes of selected principals and teachers relative to their open and closed belief systems, science commitment levels, and opinions as to the extent of agreement or disagreement regarding the adoption and implementation of the "Regents Experimental Earth Science…

The purpose of this instructional unit is to convey an understanding of the part played by effective problem definition and hypothesis statement in the solution of scientific problems. The major concepts of the unit are process rather than content oriented. Problems, hypotheses, variables, constants and controls represent the principal concepts…

Presents an individualized earth science course. Objectives include helping students gain self-confidence in managing their time, encouraging students to pursue their own interests, and encouraging students to seek out peer help. (Author/CP)

Six underlying assumptions of the Crustal Evolution Education Project (CEEP) are analyzed. This article reports that all assumptions have been validated and that CEEP is accomplishing its major purposes. (MR)

Discusses earth science enrollments in grades 9 to 12 during the period 1960 to date. (SL)

Traces the growth of earth science education, and in particular geology, in English schools from the early 1800s to date. (SL)