Points out that college freshmen expect major changes in the academic environment as they move from secondary school. Recommends that faculty use this opportunity to show students how to think for themselves. (DDR)

Evaluates the effects of the scaffold explanation-based approach to collaborative discussion on students' understanding of photosynthesis. Forty-eight fourth- and fifth-grade students were divided into groups of high, average control (AC), and average intervention (AI). Students worked collaboratively and individually on two reasoning tasks.…

Surveys 80 women teaching K-16 science regarding their most memorable science classes and teacher behaviors of most significant science teachers. Discusses results in three categories: activity-based instructional techniques, instructor relationships, and knowledge and appreciation of science content. Lists 10 recommendations to promote women's…

Describes how to place mathematical equations modeling population growth into a spreadsheet that performs calculations quickly and easily. Suggests experiments that can be performed with the spreadsheets. (WRM)

Compares the science locus of control and the past science experiences of a group of preservice teachers who had declared an academic concentration in science with elementary education majors in general. Finds that the science-concentration group reported more favorable science experiences from kindergarten through college. Contains 14 references.…

Examines the effects of previous experiences in science learning on prospective elementary teachers' interest and confidence in teaching science. Reports on the effect of an inquiry-based science methods course on teacher interest and confidence. Finds that elementary school experience, plus the number of science courses taken in college,…

Summarizes 10 documents and 9 journal articles recently added to the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database. Among topics covered are relationship of health to school performance, community-based child development in Nepal, whole-language approach workshops, conference proceedings, science instruction, job satisfaction, day care…

This case study follows an instructor and her students (33 elementary teachers) as they experience for the first time a graduate-level science course delivered via compressed-video technology. The focus is on teacher learning and coping strategies. Data were gathered from videotaped records of classes, informal interviews with students and site…

Describes a website designed to allow students to publish their own accounts of school science investigations they have carried out. Makes suggestions for initiating computer-mediated student discussions of the nature of science based on information contained in the website. (WRM)

Presents the results of two newspaper polls conducted in Kansas concerning the teaching of evolution. Finds that the majority of the state's citizens do think that evolution should be taught in the public schools. (WRM)

Presents an excerpt from "Network Science, A Decade Later: The Internet and Classroom Learning", a publication based on four years of research that examines the role of technology in fostering inquiry-based approaches to learning. (Author/NB)

Offers guidelines for enhancing science instruction for students with disabilities by adapting, implementing, and assessing an activities-based approach. This approach features a structured learning cycle, emphasis on the relationship of science to students' lives, experiential learning, interdisciplinary themes, cooperative learning groups,…

A meta-analysis compared the academic achievement of students (grades 6-12) who received traditional instruction or traditional instruction supplemented with computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in science, reading, music, special education, social studies, math, vocational education, and English. The study determined that students receiving…

Presents a conceptual framework for teaching science to students with disabilities. The framework suggests integration of explicit instruction in critical concepts, with cognitively-based approaches that emphasize problem-solving skills on real-world tasks. Implications for policy, professional development, and creation of learning environments…

Argues that science investigation by young children should not be constrained by rigid curriculum frameworks, but be prompted by natural curiosity, as in the constructivist approach. Maintains that cognitive abilities in science and investigative skills will develop if children are encouraged to test their observations, questions, and hypotheses…