This article reports a systematic review of research on science programs in grades 6-12. Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria including use of randomized or quasi-experimental assignment to conditions, measures that assess content emphasized equally in experimental and control groups, and a duration of at least 12 weeks. Programs fell into…

"Thinking Science" is a 2-year program of professional development for teachers and thinking lessons for students in junior high school science classes. This paper presents research on the effects of "Thinking Science" on students' levels of cognition in Australia. The research is timely, with a general capability focused on…

Despite widespread recognition among policy makers, educational leaders, and the nation as a whole of the importance of science, engineering, and technology as drivers of the future of the country and society, the science achievement of America's students is mediocre at best, in comparison to that of international peers. On the 2012 PISA tests in…

The purpose of this study is to thoroughly describe a program designed to strengthen the pipeline of Latino students into post-secondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and present evaluation data to assess multiyear effectiveness. The program includes a suite of interventions aimed at students and families, and…

A student's first introduction to engineering and technology is typically through high school science labs. Unfortunately, in many high schools, science labs often make use of antiquated tools that fail to deliver exciting lab content. As a result, many students are turned off by science, fail to excel on standardized science exams, and do not…

This case study aims to verify the benefits of theme-based project learning for convergent science experiments. The study explores the possibilities of enhancing creative, integrated and collaborative teaching and learning abilities in science-gifted education. A convergent project-based science experiment program of physics, chemistry and biology…

In this article, the authors provide an overview and critically analyze three successful faculty-developed urban K-12 science outreach programs. They consider a successful outreach program as one that has been sustained for at least five years after initial funding, and has provided empirically-based research findings from the program.…

Determined the possible long-term effects of a precollege Student Science Training Program (SSTP) conducted at Syracuse University from 1961 to 1974. Responses from completed questionnaires (N=114, representing a 33 percent response rate) were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and positive about SSTP. Includes actual student comments about SSTP and its…

Compared performance of Syracuse University Project Advance (PA) chemistry students (N=35) with advanced placement (AP) candidates on the AP chemistry examination. PA students scored slightly above the national average on the examination, and students who performed well (B or better) in AP chemistry also did well on the examination. (JN)

Investigated whether the Lesotho Introductory Science Improvement Program promoted more positive attitudes toward science and how findings compared with those reported in the literature. Responses from a 57-item questionnaire, obtained from 647 students, indicated no significant differences between experimental (N=172 boys, 167 girls) and control…

This document is a checklist for use by science coordinators, school principals, science department chairpersons and teachers in identifying strengths and weaknesses of science programs in middle and high schools. It can also be used by science coordinators during school visits. This guide contains space for recording information concerning:…

The Education Act of 1989 brought into existence the New Zealand National Qualifications Authority (NZQA), of which the first major task was to develop a national qualifications framework (NQF; New Zealand Government, 1989). The NQF was initially envisaged as a unified framework into which all secondary, vocational, and tertiary qualifications…

Develops the question of evaluating energy education programs' direction/progress in light of four goal custers identified in the National Science Foundations' Project Synthesis. Discusses important characteristics of energy education curricula using transporation as an example. Urges establishment of learning environments in which students can…

In September 1982, a science school began operation at the Ontario Science Centre to provide programs, personnel, facilities, and resources to help students achieve their potential in physical, intellectual, emotional, social, cultural, and moral development, especially as these relate to scientific knowledge and to the needs of society. This…

Tested the effectiveness of a program designed to teach children how to conduct and interpret a controlled experiment. Results indicate that the ability to control variables can be taught using the program (which consists of activities related to designing, building, and launching model rockets). (JN)