The present study: (1) identified certain scientific misconceptions possessed by high school and university students; (2) identified, by written and interview means, the origins of these misconceptions; and (3) classified the misconceptions according to their origin. A pilot study using grade 9 high school students showed that, although more…

An exposition is made of a method to elicit students' comprehension of the meaning of words commonly used in science, which may be influential in determining what they learn. The method's aim is to elucidate features in students' understanding of childrens' science (that found before formal teaching of science), student science (that found after…

This report discusses the current problems in teaching physics to teachers and new techniques for teaching vibrations and waves to students with limited mathematical ability. The author summarizes the topics covered at the Conference within the two categories. (SA)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK IS TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND NEEDED BY ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH THE NAVAHO PEOPLE. INITIALLY IT DISCUSSES THEIR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE, THE SECONDARY PORTION DESCRIBES THEIR RELIGIOUS LIFE, AND THE REMAINDER EXPLAINS PROBLEMS OF THE NAVAHOS AND TECHNIQUES THEY HAVE DEVELOPED TO COPE WITH THESE…

This report presents the results of an investigation of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) program and the effects of the Materials Objects unit on first-grade students and teachers. The contents of the report include purposes and limitations of the study, discussion of the instruments, observers, reliability of the Q sort, the…

This study was designed to determine whether fifth and sixth grade children retain both the factual materials and applications of the factual materials better when a unit in electricity and magnetism is taught by the inductive method or when the unit is taught by the lecture-demonstration technique. The sample consisted of 346 pupils of fifth and…

The use of interpretive reporting techniques and programs offering real world training to writers may provide solutions to the problems encountered in writing about science for the mass media. Both science and environmental writers have suggested that the problems they face would be decreased by the use of more interpretive and investigative…

This investigation was performed to test the hypothesis that male high school students of high discrepancy score on self-concept would be less able to apply principles of dynamics to new situations than male high school students of low discrepancy score. The discrepancy score was the difference between self-concept and ideal self as calculated…

This study attempted to determine if there was a stable and preferred mode of perceptual organization and conceptual classification of stimuli which influenced the ability of female pre-service elementary teachers to acquire the science concepts presented in a general elementary credential preparation course. It is an example of ex post facto…

The problems and prospects of using science and technology to help solve world problems are briefly reviewed in this paper. Public attitudes toward these two areas have currently been changing due to recent scientific and technological developments that have been threatening or have had obvious deleterious consequences. Despite these criticisms,…

A course, called Nature of Science, is described as developed over the eight years it has been presented to nonscience majors at a liberal arts college. The aims of the course are to show important ties between science and those disciplines in which nonscience students' primary interests lie; to develop in nonscience students the recognition that…

Discusses the gender differences revealed on the science content items of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Science Assessment. Examines explanations for the differences, including differential prior instruction, differential response to uncertainty, differential response to figurally presented items, and different attitudes toward…

Discusses the commonly held misconceptions on heat and examines potential contributing factors. Defines and provides examples of internal energy and heat. Suggests approaches to the teaching of heat for secondary level students. (ML)

Describes how interactive programs for scientific modeling may be created by using spreadsheet software such as LOTUS 1-2-3. Lists the advantages of using this method. Discusses fractional distillation, batch partial melting, and combination models as examples. (CW)

Tells the story of Maarten Schmidt and the discovery of quasars. Discusses the decomposition of light, crucial observations and solving astronomical mysteries. Describes spectroscopic analysis used in astronomy and its application to quasars. (CW)