Fostering students' spatial thinking skills holds great promise for improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Recent efforts have focused on the development of classroom interventions to build students' spatial skills, yet these interventions will be implemented by teachers, and their beliefs and perceptions…

This study explores the relationship between teaching assistants (TAs) and student learning in undergraduate science laboratory classes. TAs typically instruct laboratory courses, yet little, if any, research examines professional development (PD) for TAs or relationships between instructors and students in laboratory settings. The use of…

Reform-based curriculum materials have been suggested as a mechanism to make inquiry-based instruction more prevalent in secondary science classrooms, specifically when accompanied by comprehensive professional development (Loucks-Horsley, Hewson, Love, & Stiles, [1998]; Powell & Anderson, [2002]). This research examines the implementation of a…

Discusses results obtained from a survey of secondary science teachers to determine their research needs. Among the areas considered are priorities of these teachers in general and differences in priorities related to discipline taught, sex, grade level (junior or senior high), type of community, and years of teaching experience. (JN)

Comparison of science teacher characteristics revealed that females (N=72) scored higher on measures of science interest and receptivity to change while males (N=273) scored higher on science knowledge indicators and on perceptions of teaching support received. No differences on other measures were noted. Discusses implications related to females'…

Examines the development and usefulness of the Elementary Science Teachers' Preferences (ESTP) test. Findings suggest that this instrument is useful and valid in determining differences between teaching preferences of teacher-centered and student-centered teachers. Findings also indicate that polarized labeling of teachers is inappropriate. (MA)

Determined whether the field experience component of an undergraduate science methods course influenced teachers' concerns and attitudes toward science and science teaching. Age, grade-point average, openmindedness, and school assignment were examined as variables which might explain some of the variance in the dependent measures. (Author/JN)

Reports a naturalistic study to develop and validate a "Science and Reading Questionnaire" to assess secondary science teachers' attitudes toward science reading and their belief or informed opinions about science reading. The items for this instrument are presented. (PR)

Random sample of K-12 science teachers (N=400) was surveyed regarding their attitude toward and practice of career education in their science teaching. Results indicate, among others, a rejection of a vocational view, favoring instead a career education conception which includes self-perception, values analysis, and vocational skills objectives.…

A conceptual model, which provides insight into the individual concerns that teachers adopting a new program may express, was employed in a study of science teachers (N=139) adopting the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS). Results from a 35-item instrument (Stages of Concern Questionnaire), demographic data, and recommendations are…

Investigated affective changes in elementary preservice teachers (N=30) during a formative period and related these changes to the development of specific classroom science teaching behaviors. (JN)

Effects of a sequence of two science content courses (earth science/biology and physical science) on preservice elementary teachers' attitude toward and anxiety about science teaching were examined. Results from two studies (1977-78, N=78 and 1978-79, N=71) indicate attitude/anxiety changed in a positive direction and continued in subsequent…

Questionnaires were administered to 22 principals and 41 biology teachers to determine level of agreement/disagreement when using established criteria to measure effectiveness of an outstanding biology teacher. Results indicated that principals/teachers agree on relative importance of most criteria, particularly those relating to teachers'…

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is a much debated and studied construct. In this article, we adopt an all-embracing view of PCK to examine the development of one elementary science teacher's knowledge over a 10-year period. We portray this teacher's knowledge at three critical points in her career--as a student teacher, beginning teacher, and…

Both teachers believe that the most important student outcome is factual knowledge, middle-grade students learn through repeated drill and practice, and these students require a great deal of direction. Their beliefs differ from the philosophy of an intended curriculum, thus hampering its successful implementation. (PR)