This paper reports on a study that examined the effects of formative experiences on the attitudes of preservice elementary teachers towards science and science teaching. Students in the science sequence of an elementary teacher preparation program wrote autobiographical essays about their experiences in science. These essays (n=56) were analyzed…

These curricular materials are intended to explain wastewater treatment processes, detail the goals of the Boston Harbor Project, and describe the responsibility of individual citizens to the revitalization of Boston Harbor. A series of student activities covers three main topics: wastewater operations, wastewater residuals, and household…

The videos in this educational series, for grades 4-7, help students understand the science behind weather phenomena through dramatic live-action footage, vivid animated graphics, detailed weather maps, and hands-on experiments. This episode (23 minutes) looks at how meteorologists gather and interpret current weather data collected from sources…

This book with an accompanying 21-minute videocassette is designed for schools and communities who want to change mathematics and science education to address the needs of students with disabilities. After an introduction that describes educational reforms in Montana, chapters include: (1) "Opening Up to All Learners," which discusses…

This student text is designed for grades 2-4 and explores various earth science topics. A cartoon character named Tommy Tsumi explains earth facts and concepts throughout the text. Activities, materials, and learning objectives for each unit in the textbook are provided in the teacher's guide. Units in both include: (1) "What Does Our Earth…

The growing belief that North Carolina's schools need to be up to international standards led the Public School Forum of North Carolina to launch its twelfth Study Group, addressing three questions: (1) What would it take to bring North Carolina's teaching of mathematics and science up to internationally competitive standards?; (2) How could North…

Presents annotated list of computer programs related to geophysics, geomorphology, paleontology, economic geology, petroleum geology, and miscellaneous topics. Entries include description, instructional use(s), programing language, and availability. Programs described in previous installments (found in SE 533 635 and 534 182) focused on…

Computer graphics was selected as the means of teaching students to use the computer as a tool to enhance their comprehension of scientific and technical principles. Discusses strategies used and provides examples of student-generated graphics in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering mechanics. (JN)

Discusses the relationship between academic standards and society, providing evidence of a decline in these standards in American schools. Also discusses social implications of a lack of scientific literacy and proposes a strategy for change. Teacher certification and political action as change agents are considered. (JM)

Determined relationships between college/secondary earth science teachers' confidence in ability to teach field-based earth science cognitive objectives and perceived sources of that confidence, discussing objectives teachers felt confident/unconfident in teaching. Indicates that inservice education ranked behind preservice education or teaching…

Discusses alternative perspectives on nature of knowledge and psychological development, relating these to science instruction. Indicates that significant learning occurs if facts have personal relevance, suggesting that a cultural transmission approach to teaching/knowledge dominates science education which neglects the role of students' personal…

Results of a previous study indicated no difference in preservice teacher attitude/achievement using lecture/inquiry approaches. This study was replicated, also examining effects of sex and students' (N=471) previous science training. Although results for science understanding were not significant, analysis of attitude change indicates that…

An interdisciplinary course at Yale University focuses on "The Bomb" as a case study in the cultural consequences of a major technological innovation. The course, relying on documentary/feature film resources, is organized historically and traces the consequences of the innovation through the perspectives of several disciplines.…

In November 1981, the National Science Board (National Science Foundation's policy-making body) established a special commission to assess the quality of secondary school science education and to define and articulate an agenda to encourage state/local government and private organizations to address these issues. Provided is the commission's first…

Addresses the power held by persons who construct curricula, teach, and do research from a frame of reference that includes definite purposes for and theories about science education. Suggests the purpose of science education as a discipline is to improve existing procedures and establish new and verified procedures for teaching science.…