Classroom teachers frequently express concern that textbooks and other curriculum materials are too difficult for their students. The objectives of this investigation were to develop a method for scoring the Level of Abstraction (LOA) of science reading material, and explore its relationship with certain other known methods for assessing…

This report focuses on the proposals, materials, programs produced, and the results that occur when new teachers and their students become involved with exemplary science materials and with teachers judged to be exemplary. This project enrolled exceptional teachers who could work together in class groups with some common purpose as to science…

To assist school districts in selecting science instructional materials, the California State Department of Education has developed detailed descriptions of state-adopted elementary programs and texts. This guide includes an annotated index of all adopted materials and separate descriptions for each program or series. The index contains a listing…

This booklet is the first in a series of three interdisciplinary units which focus specifically on the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding countries. The booklet, designed for lower secondary students, provides an introduction to the ocean environment such that students can understand the physical factors underlying issues raised by the other two…

Plate Tectonics Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) volcanoes (covering formation, distribution, and major volcanic groups); (2) earthquakes (with investigations on wave movements, seismograms and sub-suface earth currents); (3) plate tectonics (providing maps…

Universe Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) earth (providing activities on the physical shape of the earth and landform formations; (2) geography (emphasizing map reading skills); (3) universe (exploring the components, processes and future projects for the…

The "Maryland: Mountains to the Sea" exhibit (National Aquarium in Baltimore) consists of four exhibits and eight graphics panels. The exhibits are an Allegheny pond and a salt marsh which are both partially open, Assateague beach which includes birds, and the continental shelf. A variety of Maryland pond and ocean fish, crabs, and water…

The samplers of aquatic activities that are contained in this guide have been reviewed and trial tested for use with both elementary and secondary level students. The activities were a result of South Carolina Sea Grant's efforts to expand marine education opportunities in the state. The table of contents alphabetically lists the activities…

This guide was developed with the intention of helping teachers and school site administrators in California review the elementary science curriculum and compare it to an idealized model that is presented in the document. Part I of the guide provides a summary of a number of characteristics considered to be important to a strong elementary science…

This study was designed to determine: (1) the level of understanding of selected science concepts typical of freshmen and senior University of Wyoming elementary education students; (2) relationships between the number and kind of science courses taken by elementary education majors and their level of understanding of science concepts; and (3) if…

This longitudinal study was designed to: (1) identify the current status of elementary science teaching and characteristics of science teachers in a sample of 100 public elementary schools (K-6) that participated in a 1970 study; (2) investigate certain changes in the foregoing since 1970; (3) identify principal's and teacher's attitudes…

This guide, the first in a series of three, provides the Spanish-speaking intermediate science student and teacher an opportunity to review selected science concepts and processes through activities which emphasize the applicability of scientific knowledge in the professional world. The three components in this guide deal with (1) ecology (what…

"Nature in the City" is a program designed to introduce young city dwellers to the wealth of nature that thrives in their urban world. The goal is not to produce botanists or zoologists, but to build attitudes and values as children increase their awareness, understanding, and appreciation of nature. Although the natural communities within cities…

This report traces the development of science education, particularly the elementary science curriculum, in Trinidad and Tobago. Problem areas are identified that have influenced science instruction and/or the lack of it. A model is presented for teacher involvement in elementary science curriculum development. Through this approach, approximately…

Museums are the fastest growing educational institutions in the United States. They provide the introduction to science for many children and are a major source of continuing education for adults. This paper discusses cooperative programs between The Children's Museum (Indianapolis) and the Indiana University School of Education. These programs…