A physics/chemistry teacher examined how brain-based learning environments could produce better learning conditions for students. He used thematic teaching, enriched language, naturally complex, long-term design and construction projects, and multifaceted assessment tools. The one-year curriculum indicated that teachers need not sacrifice content…

Reviews the history of secondary science curriculum reform and presents an organizational and curricular framework for discussing why reformers committed to creating a science for living have difficulty altering prevailing patterns. Examines the influence of district, school, and classroom organization upon what curriculum is actually taught and…

Confirms the hypothesis that elementary school science students recall science concepts for which they generate their own examples and definitions better than science concepts for which they do not generate their own examples and definitions. (BB)

Presents ideas on integrating science fiction into language arts, science, social studies, and math. Suggestions include an interstellar journey, imaginative language lessons, futuristic social studies, extraterrestrial life studies, intergalactic math, and science fiction story writing. (SM)

Describes a study of undergraduates at Iowa State University that tested the effectiveness of a computer simulation of electric circuits used in combination with a conceptual change approach to science instruction. Erroneous preconceptions of scientific concepts are discussed, and the use of traditional text is compared with conceptual change…

During 2 2-week institutes, 154 teachers of American Indian elementary school children received training emphasizing integration of science and American Indian culture, and student-centered hands-on science instructional strategies. Pre- and posttraining assessments showed significant positive changes in teacher attitudes toward these educational…

Offers a rationale for collegewide writing across the curriculum (WAC) approaches. Assesses the effectiveness of a WAC project at Medgar Evers College involving two courses (computer science and chemistry). Reports improvement in students' ability to summarize an article's content and writing fluency. Includes writing assignment instructions and…

Presents year-long, elementary science projects that address the question of why daylight hours vary in length according to locality. Provides three instructional units designed to commence in September, including data collection activities for sunny days encouraging later classroom calculations; on-going graphing activities; and modeling…

Reports a study involving interviews with 20 physics teachers to determine their awareness of student alternate conceptions in the areas of force and gravity. (PR)

Outlines 39 physics demonstrations that utilize simple objects such as coffee and soda cans to illustrate scientific concepts. (12 references) (MDH)

Course selection of 795 gifted adolescents in a summer residential program differed along traditional gender lines in mathematics, science, and writing/literature. Girls and boys performed equally well in all types of classes; main effects in achievement and motivation were found only for type of class. The Scholastic Aptitude Test served as a…

Studies the simple dynamical system of the pendulum and the chaotic behavior that occurs when the pendulum is both damped and driven. Provides an algorithm and BASIC program for the numerical solution to the differential equations encountered in the discussion. (MDH)

Describes the use of concept mapping (CM) in design, instruction, and assessment related to microbiology lessons prepared for high school students in Israel. Indicates that students utilizing CM displayed an overall, higher achievement gain than students in traditional classes. Recognizes that some teachers did not thoroughly exploit the potential…

Presents a simple mathematical model in which resultant speed is the sum or difference between wind speed and runner speed and a more complex model that assumes that only a proportion of the wind's speed affects one's running speed to describe the time difference between running with and without wind. (MDH)

Provides nine fully developed library media activities designed to be used with specific curriculum units in health, music, reading and language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, instructional roles, activity and procedures for completion, evaluation, and follow-up are…