Discusses the use of analogies and other instructional strategies (problem solving, demonstration, group labs, and large group discussion) in dealing with students' preconceptions in physics. (PR)

A study investigated the relationship of social interaction and learning among women college students in a supplemental instruction program for science featuring a collaborative classroom structure. It was found that this culture of community and cooperation promoted intellectual risk-taking and connected understanding of concepts. Some new ways…

Teachers of American Indian elementary school students attended a two-week institute emphasizing integration of science instruction with culturally relevant materials and activities and use of a hands-on inquiry approach. A one-year follow-up found that initial changes in teachers' behavior and practices had largely been lost. Discusses…

Describes a unit for teaching exponential change in a noncalculus physics course by having students write recursive procedures in LOGO to graphically represent linear and exponential change. Summarizes the experience of implementing the unit in a segment on radioactive decay. Modifications to the unit are suggested for teaching exponential change…

Describes the use of analogy relative to the classical theory of momentum and kinetic energy, and addresses the advantages and disadvantages of this approach with respect to modern physics. Discusses the origins of the billiard ball analogy in the work of Coriolis and its influence on later theories and investigations of nuclear fission, particle…

Discusses how to reform science education in light of individual and societal needs for science literacy. Science education standards, curriculum changes, hands-on and computer-based projects, telecommunications for teacher training, and technology for student assessment are described. A sidebar article presents a model science teacher development…

Provides six fully developed library media activities that are designed to be used with specific curriculum units. Highlights include elementary student activities for art (winter holiday crafts); reading/language arts (fantasy in stories, elements of folk stories from India, writing sequels to fairy tales); science (animal symbiosis); and social…

Presents a study to determine the effects of introducing methods students to the "learning cycle" technique on their ability to adapt science textbooks to the method and employ it in their teaching. Interviews of 24 randomly selected students out of 48 participants indicated that 75 percent used the approach while student teaching and…

Presents integrated activities for mathematics and biology appropriate for various levels from grades five through eight. Explores interesting aspects of human fingernails and hair growth and their mathematical relationship to time. Provides suggestions to integrate the activities with technology. (MDH)

Reviews research from the past 40 years on students' and teachers' conceptions of the nature of science, clarifies the basic assumptions and logic which have guided earlier research efforts, contrasts the results from qualitative and quantitative research, makes recommendations about research methods, and suggests avenues for future research about…

Forms and characteristics of small group physics instruction in the Russian university are examined and in some cases, compared to those used in Britain. Topics discussed include the lecture method, classroom communication during lectures, postlecture discussion, specialized small-audience lectures, problem solving, individual research projects,…

Describes a three-week workshop involving 20 teachers and 40 female students, grades 3 through 8, who worked in small groups to use the LEGO TC logo program, an approach that integrates mathematics and science instruction. Discussion includes the impact of single-sex, small group work on student attitudes toward mathematics and science. (six…

Describes implementation of an elementary science program, Developmental Approaches in Science and Health (DASH). The discussion centers on changes in the teaching-learning process suggested by various views on learning and on instructional strategies that can be gleaned from these views and applied to elementary science instruction. (SM)

Presents a study to evaluate the influence of a 1-week in-service workshop intended to promote science-technology-society instructional themes and alternative instructional strategies for 13 experienced science teachers. Results indicate that a significant shift in instructional goals orientation occurred and that teachers demonstrated higher…

Proposes the use of videotaped vignettes from movies, television programs, and commercials to illustrate physics concepts. Presents two examples, complete with methods of use and follow-up activities, of videotape recordings illustrating the concepts of gravity and projectile motion. Includes guidelines for use of copyrighted videocassettes and…