One of the challenges issued by the National Science Education Standards is for students to learn the content and process of modern scientific inquiry by engaging in research and entering science competitions. The Rockefeller University Precollege Science Education Outreach Programs (Science Outreach) provide access for about 70 students from…

The purpose of this study was to assess a model inquiry-oriented environmental science course offered to preservice elementary education majors at the University of Montana in order to investigate the effects of environmental science classes on preservice elementary education majors. The guiding questions for the study (N=125) were: What learning…

Teaching is a profession where aspiring practitioners enter the field with preconceived beliefs and conceptions about teaching and learning acquired during the 12 years or more they spent within the educational system. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of an educational reform environment on the development and retention of…

This resource guide is a source of current information for teachers, principals, administrators, science curriculum specialists, parents, and those involved in systemic reform of science education. These curriculum materials and other resources support inquiry-based science teaching that fosters an understanding of science concepts through…

'Scientific Investigation' was the first of the four Attainment Targets which prescribed the science component of the national curriculum in England and Wales in 1991. Following a brief historical account of the origins of scientific investigation as a curriculum objective, this paper comments upon the attempt by the central government to define a…

Confronting recent design challenges, instructional designers have latched onto adaptive procedural techniques from outside the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) field. This discussion of rapid prototyping (RP) examines the perspectives of: (1) the prototype as the designer"s cognitive tool; (2) the designer as co-inquirer; and (3) the…

The Teaching Facilitator portion of the Mathematics for Tomorrow project seeks to help a small number of teacher-leaders acquire the skills, beliefs, and knowledge they will need to lead their peers in ongoing inquiry and investigation into mathematics teaching practice. This descriptive study examines the experiences, beliefs, and concerns of…

The subject of this theoretical study emerges from the identification of a gap in the theories of first, second, and third order change. Through synthesis and critique of existing theory (Bateson, 1972; Watzlawick, Weakland, and Fisch, 1974; and Bartunek and Moch, 1987), an integrated three-part theory of change is proposed to include continuous…

The role and content of social studies curriculum for elementary and secondary students is examined and compared with preceding curricula of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. The premise is that today's social studies is too narrow and does not encompass enough humanistic perspective; resulting in the need for teachers to re-evaluate the social studies…

Describes various elementary school activities using a loaf of raisin bread to promote inquiry skills. Activities include estimating the number of raisins in the loaf by constructing histograms of the number of raisins in a slice. (MLH)

Discusses the fact that when the materials or interactions used as a basis for a science activity posses a high degree of familiarity, the student may rely on past experience rather than on gathering data to use in making judgments. In such cases, a simple request for observed evidence should be made. (MLH)

Describes some specific activities to be used on the first day of science class to demonstrate science as a process and to allow students the use of inquiry skills in problem solving. (BR)

The author suggests how the quantitative analysis of data from census records, assessment roles, and newspapers may be integrated into the classroom. Suggestions for obtaining quantitative data are provided. (DE)

Describes an interdisciplinary humanities program in Cedar Falls, Iowa, which incorporates science with five other disciplines. The article outlines the units used as well as the science-related activities and suggests program evaluation techniques. (BR)

Presents some considerations about the variable of "wait time," a pause after a teacher question so that students can think or a pause after a student statement. (PEB)