Investigates students' experiences and attitudes about experiences in biology and human biology courses. Finds that activities which require imaginative abilities are often lacking, and notetaking and simple recall are major features of the students' experiences. Discusses some suggestions regarding these courses. (Author/YP)

Examines the traditional language of physics textbooks and the way of looking at science and science education that underlies that language. Covers five high school textbooks ranging from 1900 to 1984. Reports little change in the style of presentation. Includes text examples, conclusions, and recommendations. (YP)

Examined the evolution of the knowledge and the notions of students in order to see how after one year of university study their concepts and ideas of scientific theory in chemistry had progressed. Reports that sometimes the students' conceptions are modified in the wrong way. (Author/YP)

Contains articles on digestive enzymes in grasshoppers; bird and badger observation; reactions between hydrochloric acid and sodium carbonate solutions; observing the migration of ions; pupil's heating skills (Bunsen burners); photolysis experimentation; capillary kinetics; experience with trireme; connection circuits; special relativity; a…

Evaluated the effects of cooperative learning on students' (n=36) verbal interaction patterns and achievement in a conceptual change instructional model in secondary science. It was found that students using cooperative-learning strategies showed greater achievement gains and made greater use of specific verbal patterns believed to be related to…

Analyzes differences in students' performance on algorithmic, lower-order cognitive skills (LOCS), and conceptual exam questions and the correlations between their achievements on these categories across different populations.Reports that the highest scores were obtained for the algorithmic questions, the lowest for the conceptual questions, and…

Using socks with colored bands, a teacher makes mitosis and meiosis fun and meaningful for students. Asserts that during extension activities students used the aforementioned exercise as a springboard to better understand the phases of the cell cycle of Allium root tips, whitefish blastula, and Lillium anthers. (ZWH)

Describes the multifaceted challenge of future and present teachers in a multicultural classroom. Equipped with specific strategies and activities, the author suggests that teachers can become more effective science educators. Provides numerous tips for the middle level science teacher. (ZWH)

Presents instructions and schematic diagrams for an activity that allows students to discover the relationship between electricity and magnetism. Students draw conclusions and form hypotheses regarding their observations. Suggestions for further study are provided for "real world" experiences by students. (ZWH)

Examines analogical reasoning in contexts where understanding is generated from loosely organized, incomplete prior knowledge rather than transferred from a well-structured domain of understanding. Participants, consisting of 11 secondary school science teacher candidates, were presented with a piston/cylinder device and asked to explain the…

This article describes the use of modern science fiction movies as a vehicle to teach scientific principles. The resulting artificial gravity from a spinning space station in movie "2001" is calculated from measurements taken off of the screen. A mathematical explanation is provided. (MVL)

Examines teachers' differing uses of student-gathered data during science investigations. The results show that student language use and concept understanding differed between two different instructional approaches. Suggestions are provided for using student-gathered data in teaching elementary school science. (LZ)

Interviews of and questionnaires given to (n=299) 14- and 15-year-old students in England and Spain on their understanding of combustion and on the teaching and learning styles used with students found that the extensive use of practical work in English schools had only a marginal effect on their understanding of combustion. Includes…

Perspectives that underlie a study of scientific reasoning of elementary students with mild mental retardation (EC 612 096) are provided. Epistemological issues that appear to shape knowledge of special education are addressed, specifically "constructivism" versus "behaviorism" and the relative worth of "constructed" versus "instructed" knowledge.…

Examined the potential of creative writing in (n=32) students' science learning. Analysis of children's stories and conversations in a Year 5/6 integrated studies setting revealed a number of themes around the processes of learning and using science and language. (19 references) (Author/MKR)