Author Mays Imad, who is a neuroscientist, writes that throughout her teaching career she has watched talented, creative, high-potential students walk away from the sciences because they feel that the STEM curriculum lacks ethical, political, and creative significance. One of her students wrote to her, "Life is hard and the world feels drab…

Skepticism exists regarding the role of continuing medical education (CME) in improving physician performance. The harshest criticism has been reserved for didactic CME. Reviews of the scientific literature on the effectiveness of CME conclude that formal or didactic modes of education have little or no impact on clinical practice. This has led…

Teachers' pedagogical beliefs are thought to play a prominent role in determining teacher behavior. In contrast to other professions, pedagogical beliefs of teachers and students in teacher education are widely influenced by personal experiences gained in school, which has been referred to as "apprenticeship of observation" (Lortie,…

Science provides foundations for people to understand what is happening around them, supplies information for developments to be made and explains why things happen. As a science and early years specialist, the author often wondered how early years and science can be combined. Where is the place of science within the Early Years Foundation Stage…

Describes a variety of systematic instructional procedures and examines some of the controversy surrounding their use. (Author/SL)

Examines some alternative approaches to teaching science in the elementary school, and in particular compares the attributes of instructional approaches to those of experimental approaches. (JR)

Describes a study which involved the planning and implementation of cooperative science teaching (team teaching) in an Australian elementary school. (JR)

Reports the results of a study of four different instructional methods used in teaching earth science at the sixth grade level. The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the didactic approach with the process-managerial, the self-directed, and the motivated self-directed learning methods. (JR)

This article reviews articles within this special issue on science education for students with disabilities, examining the articles in the context of current activities and resources in science education. Constructivism and alternative assessment techniques are seen as especially noteworthy movements in improving science teaching and learning.…

Presented are examples of student differences in thought forms derived from interviews of students entering the natural science line and technology line of the integrated upper secondary schools in Sweden. Methods are outlined for the symbolic description, analysis and interpretation of "thought forms," and ways are described in which dialogue…

Details two demonstrations for use with an overhead projector in a chemistry lecture. Includes "A Very Rapidly Growing Silicate Crystal" and "A Colorful Demonstration to Simulate Orbital Hybridization." The materials and directions for each demonstration are included as well as a brief explanation of the essential learning involved. (CW)

Discussed is the management of cooperative learning groups in an elementary school science classroom. Rules for classroom behavior and benefits that can be derived from using this method are suggested. (CW)

Describes a molar volume-molar mass experiment for use in general chemistry laboratories. Gives background technical information, procedures for the titration of aqueous hydrogen peroxide with standard potassium permanganate and catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to produce oxygen, and a discussion of the results obtained in three…

This presentation summarizes effective strategies and programs for nurturing students who are gifted in science. A smorgasbord of educationally accelerative opportunities is recommended, to enhance students' potential for future development in science. These opportunities may include field trips, advanced placement courses, and science summer…

This article details two demonstrations involving color changes. Included are "Manganese Color Reactions" and "Flame Colors Demonstration." Include a list of materials needed, procedures, cautions, and results. (CW)