Investigates whether an environmental program including an advance organizer component and a field experience results in an observable change in the environmental orientations of fifth- and sixth-grade students. Results show positive change. (HM)

This essay is the third in a series on innovators in the teaching of elementary-school science. Palmer's ideas and work on nature study and their relevance to children's education are described. His resume and a list of his publications are also included. (HM)

Four levels of a learner controlled multimedia/interactive videodisc (IVD) science program were administered to 60 second graders: IVD lesson only, comprehension monitoring only, teacher scaffolding only, and teacher scaffolding with comprehension monitoring. The teacher scaffolding with comprehension monitoring group scored highest, indicating…

Describes Partnering for Elementary Environmental Science, a collaborative project between Ohio State University at Mansfield, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Science and Mathematics Network of Central Ohio, designed to provide professional development opportunities for elementary teachers, improve science education in rural…

Argues that children learn science more effectively when teachers begin with the ideas they already hold. Children can arrive at scientific understanding through careful teaching that includes discussion activities, practical investigations, or secondary sources. Getting children to discuss their ideas challenges their thinking and encourages them…

If children are required to make their own sense, then attempting to impart knowledge will fail altogether or result in only superficial short-term learning. Curriculum structure, load in science, and assessment must change for a constructivist approach to flourish in the classroom. Teachers must serve as a guide to students exploring science as a…

Describes a unit for the first grade that takes advantage of the fall seasonal changes to explore, be creative, and learn. Ties all the subject areas together through a look at leaves and trees. A list of resources is included. (JRH)

An activity called class books is described. The activity emphasizes using cooperative learning and integrating many subjects in the same activity. (KR)

Reviewed is "Exploring Tidepools," a computer software package for middle school aged students. Features and availability are discussed. (CW)

Discussed is a conference aimed at organizing the efforts to reform science education in the United States. Participants from business, industry, labor, scientific and engineering societies, and education associations were included. (CW)

Describes study that was conducted to examine the effects of animation and practice on factual and application learning in elementary science computer-based instruction (CBI). The extent to which animation and practice promoted near and far transfer of learning outcomes is explored, and effects on processing time are examined. (31 references) LRW)

Discusses an American Chemical Society (ACS)'s report on science education which is a synthesis of a series of policies developed by ACS. Summarizes recommendations in four areas: elementary teacher education; pre-high school curricula; university research funding; and underrepresented populations. (YP)

Six activities complete with reproducible worksheets are presented. Materials and procedures for each are listed. Answers to the quiz and crossword puzzle are included. Topics include the water cycle, the world's oceans, the ocean floor, and fish. (CW)

Proposes that a National Academy of Education is needed to set priorities, assess research in education, allocate resources, learn to implement approaches that work, and identify areas of study. Describes a successful program developed in New Haven as a model to others. (RT)

Reports on an attempt to bring about conceptual change in children's concept of speed by the teaching of the science of speed emphasizing an integrated hands-on experience. Reports that it may be possible to modify naive conceptions by teaching that targets particular concepts. (Author/YP)