This study involved examining an instructional unit with regard to its concept content and appropriateness for its target audience. The study attempted to determine (1) what concepts are treated explicitly or implicitly, (2) whether there is a hierarchical conceptual structure within the unit, (3) what level of sophistication is required to…

This document presents a discussion of the postulated mechanism that leads to the materialization and dematerialization of matter and to antigravity. The mechanism also explains why an orbital electron does not radiate energy, in contradiction to classical electromagnetic theory. One of the paradoxes of special relativity is explained. A new model…

This report summarizes two nationwide studies conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), in 1969-70 and 1972-73, in which information was gathered on the skills and knowledge in science of respondents aged 9, 13, and 17. Included in this report are: a description of the sample used and the science exercises used;…

Astronomical fundamentals are presented in this unit of the Project Physics text for use by senior high students. The geocentric system of Ptolemy is discussed in connection with Greek concepts including Aristarchus' heliocentric hypothesis. Analyses are made of Copernicus' reexamination, leading to Tycho's observations and compromise system. A…

Mechanical theories are presented in this unit of the Project Physics text for senior high students. Collisions, Newton's laws, isolated systems, and Leibniz' concept are discussed, leading to conservation of mass and momentum. Energy conservation is analyzed in terms of mechanical energy, heat energy, steam engines, Watt's engine, Joule's…

Optical and electromagnetic fundamentals are presented in this fourth unit of the Project Physics text for use by senior high students. Development of the wave theory in the first half of the 19th Century is described to deal with optical problems at the early stage. Following explanations of electric charges and forces, field concepts are…

This guide provides a framework that may be used by local science curriculum developers to produce units of study, each representing a process of science applied to one of the conceptual schemes of science within one of the major categories of science. Examples of variants, (at ten levels of sophistication), of the 18 major concepts which result…

This report presents the procedures, results and conclusions of a study designed to compare the effectiveness of several feedback modes for correcting errors in computer-assisted instruction. Seventy-five university upperclassmen were taught 30 general science concepts by means of a computer-assisted adjunct auto-instruction program. Subjects were…

This study initiated in 1950, tested two hypotheses: (1) that as elementary school children progress through school their concepts of terms and principles in science become more correct, and (2) that elementary school children in 1964 would be more correct in their concepts of scientific terms and principles than similar children were in 1950. An…

The author poses this question: When the learning of science is carried on in a foreign language, is the extent and nature of concept-formation different from that required of the student who learns science entirely in his mother tongue? Because the term "scientific concept" is ambiguous, the author suggests five distinct definitions--four groups…

Reported is a study to determine the feasibility of teaching selected concepts related to the particle nature of matter to students in grades 2-6. The lessons developed for this study did not require a high student reading ability, did not require more than one-half hour of time, included the use of analogous mechanical models whenever possible,…

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential use of A Schema for Testing the Level of Concept Mastery in measuring attainment of classificatory concepts in science. Classificatory concepts from the biological, earth, and physical sciences were included. For each of the 30 concepts included in the study a 12-item test was constructed to…

Presented are five reviews of the National Assessment of Educational Progress results in science. Dr. Mildred Ballou discusses the objectives of the assessment by age level with concern over explanations for responses, social implications, and validity of testing exercises. Wilmer Cooksey comments on the results as viewed by the classroom teacher…

An application of a systems approach to the improvement of science education from kindergarten through grade 12 is described. The report assesses the need for science curriculum reform, takes into account the philosophies, learning theories, curriculum organization patterns, and teaching strategies being advocated by current leaders in science,…

This study compared the relative effectiveness of teaching selected science concepts associated with the study of atoms and molecules to fourth and sixth grade students, using two contrasting teaching methods: (1) laboratory-theory sequence, and (2) theory-laboratory sequence. The sample of 99 students in one school was taught the science units…