Encourages the use of imaginative writing about scientific phenomena and/or principles. Offers samples of student writings on the concept of succession. Includes a listing of topics which could be used for creative writing exercises and provides suggestions for classroom implementation. (ML)

Tested the effectiveness of a program designed to teach children how to conduct and interpret a controlled experiment. Results indicate that the ability to control variables can be taught using the program (which consists of activities related to designing, building, and launching model rockets). (JN)

Investigated changes that occurred in sixth- and seventh-grade teacher and student discourse when teachers endeavored to implement extended teacher wait-time in a sequence of seven lessons related to probabilistic reasoning. Results indicated that teacher wait-time increased from an average of 1.9 to 4.4 seconds during the lesson sequence. (JN)

The University of California, Irvine offers a summer institute for elementary/secondary science teachers. A one-day research update, year-round Saturdays for Science (for fourth-sixth grades), and assistance in science curriculum development are also featured. Success is attributed to involvement of faculty, local technology-based industry, and…

Preliminary analysis of the Second International Science Study shows, counter to trends in recent studies, improved overall science scores among fifth and ninth graders compared to the 1970s. In particular, fifth graders know more about biology and physical sciences and less about space travel compared to the 1970s. (JN)

Reports on effectiveness of an elementary school science program comparing attitudes toward science of Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) students and teachers with those of students and teachers in non-SCIS classes. Students (N=456) indicate preference for SCIS process-approach science, and SCIS teachers (N=109) spend more time teaching…

Provides a descriptive listing of museums and science exhibits that are essentially participatory and playful in nature for young children. Offerings in the areas of natural history, museums, science and technology centers and specifically children's museums are outlined. Educational benefits are discussed. (ML)

Describes the origin, development, and activity options of the Hands-On-Science Program. Explains the program's process-oriented, interdisciplinary approach, its staffing procedures, and activity format. Lists the current and future locations of the program. Also provides an example of an activity on solar energy for primary level students. (ML)

Describes ideas and approach to an interdisciplinary unit in creative writing and science which uses art and storytelling to sharpen imaginative skills. Relates the special success of this unit's approach in motivating students, the culmination of which was an all-day field trip to a marine science center. (JM)

Presents the Language-Experience Approach (LEA) of teaching beginning and remedial reading, describing how it may be used in the science classroom. Provides step-by-step instructions on how to incorporate the LEA into science laboratory activities and gives tips on how to structure the class to accommodate different levels of readers. (JM)

"Women in Science Scale," a 27-item instrument for measuring adolescents' attitudes toward women in science careers, was determined to be reliable by estimates of internal consistency (alpha = 0.92) and stability over time (r = 0.82). The instrument also clearly distinguishes between scores of males and females regardless of sex. (JN)

Reports and discusses data on incentives being considered to improve the quality and quantity of science in precollege institutions. Incentives (organized into several categories) focus on bringing new individuals into science teaching and upgrading those with science teaching assignments who are not trained to teach science. (JN)

Determined relationships among teacher classroom management behavior, student engagement (N=269), academic achievement (N=570), and academic aptitude (N=649). Twelve indicators from Georgia Teachers Performance Assessment Indicators were used to measure teacher classroom management behaviors. Results, obtained during 2-week units taught by 30…

The paper considers the main results and some educational implications of the TIMSS 2003 assessment conducted in Serbia in the fields of the science achievement of Serbian eighth grade students and the science curriculum context of their achievement. There were 4264 students in the sample. It was confirmed that Serbian eighth graders had made…

Science curricula typically do not capitalize on the hands-on, self-initiated learning style of young children. This book provides a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate approach to science education with young children, with special attention to physics and chemistry. The book's introductory chapter is followed by chapters on: (1) science…