Describes a sophisticated version of the fruit fly experiment for teaching concepts about genetics to biology students. Provides students with the opportunity to work with live animals over an extended period. (JRH)

Describes how children's understanding of science concepts can be assessed through interviews. Analyzes data from interviews using categories and criteria that have been chosen to indicate the extent of a child's knowledge and quality of knowledge. Describes methods of interviewing and analysis. (JRH)

This list, published by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council, contains titles and annotations of outstanding science trade books. It is also a popular service for teachers and media specialists. The books are grouped by topic areas including anthropology and paleontology, biography, Earth science, environment…

Investigates what questions elementary students would ask when presented with various situations relating to the natural environment. Findings reveal the extraordinary range of questions that elementary students have concerning the solar system and space. (JRH)

Investigates students' (N=736) conceptions of inertia and compares these conceptions with historical changes in the concept. Findings indicate considerable similarities as well as dissimilarities between students' conceptions and the views of past scientists. Contains 31 references. (Author/JRH)

Uses metaphorical analysis to determine whether or not Max Planck invented the quantum postulate. Demonstrates how metaphorical analysis can be used to analyze the rhetoric of revolutionary texts in science. Concludes that, in his original 1900 quantum paper, Planck considered the quantum postulate to be important, but not revolutionary. (PA)

A cautious introduction of the dialogue between science and religion into a college astronomy course provoked diverse reactions from the 340 students in the course. Reports that approximately half of the students in the class engaged with the issue of science and religion to some extent and that there were few negative reactions to this…

Examines the evidence proffered by Arrhenius, van't Hoff, and Ostwald in favor of the theory of electrolytic dissociation and outlines objections raised by Armstrong, Fitzgerald, and Pickering. Discusses the implication of the controversy revolving around the nature of chemistry in relation to the teaching and learning of chemistry. (KHR)

Explores elementary children's ideas about insects using 20 K-5 students. Investigates what an insect means to children through the use of three different tasks: (1) draw and explain; (2) interview about instances; and (3) formulation of a general rule. (Contains 31 references.) (Author/YDS)

Alaska Native peoples and other Indigenous peoples must relearn their languages as part of relearning to live close to nature in their own place. The links between traditional Yupiaq teaching stories and scientific concepts are discussed in relation to Indigenous world views, which are more relevant to environmental understanding than Eurocentric…

Investigates the amount of science portrayed by terrestrial television in the United Kingdom and the public comprehension of that science as shown on television. Concludes that the lack of comprehension of the scientific basis of many advertisements is indicative of the lack of relevance of science education to people in modern society. (Author/LM)

Introduces three demonstrations using rubber balloons: rate of reaction, air pressure, and solubility of gases in liquids. Provides the materials, procedure, questions, further investigation, and discussion in each demonstration. (YP)

Emphasizes firewalking as a good illustration of basic concepts in thermodynamics. Describes the basic principles of firewalking and other factors including the cooling of the surface embers, moisture of the feet, thick skin on the feet, tolerance for pain, and other uncontrolled factors. (YP)

Children and adults were tested on their beliefs about whether visual processes involved intromissions (visual input) or extramissions (visual output) across a variety of situations. Results were inconsistent with the idea that simple experiences increase or reinforce a coherent theory of vision and have implications for understanding the nature…

Presents alternative assessment tools, including concept maps, initial and summary assessments, Vee diagrams, and three types of alternative learning activities that assess different levels of understanding. (MKR)