Describes two research studies that, viewed collectively, provide an assessment of scientific literacy development. The results indicate thatthe Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) program does develop positive attitudes toward science in children and that SCIS children excell in understanding the processes of science. (BR)

The study investigates the usefulness of teaching science courses that have a commonality of subject matter and a sequential patterning of operations. Introductory Physical Science (IPS) and CHEM Study courses were compared. The results indicated IPS is a useful background for CHEM Study. (BR)

Discusses the A-T approach in conjunction with a structured science program, such as COPES, which provides opportunities for independent study and student self-pacing and is a means for increasing student comprehension. This approach can also help absentee students catch up as well as students who enter mid-year. (BR)

Robert Tinker, President of The Concord Consortium, announces that through a series of grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Education, the Concord Consortium has been able to produce amazing and innovative software packages and have incorporated them into hundreds of powerful learning activities. Whatever…

Ropes and their uses for the sailor are the focus of this unit. Students begin the study by taking apart a section of rope and putting it back together, testing strength at various stages. They also practice tying different knots and learn about the uses of ropes in sailing. After investigating the mechanics of a block and tackle, students…

This teacher's guide suggests a number of ways to use a spinning table to explore circular motion. Activities are described which are appropriate for children in kindergarten through third grade. Suggestions are made for exploratory activities using the equipment rather than supplying detailed instructions for formal activities. Equipment and…

Presented are building activities, for elementary school children, using a variety of different materials. Weak materials, such as clay, straws and pins, paper tubes and index cards, are used as examples; structures built with these materials are displayed in photographs and discussed. Problems are suggested from which additional activities can be…

This series of experiments seeks to provide laboratory exercises which demonstrate concepts in Earth Science, particularly meteorology. Materials used in the experiments are easily obtainable. Examples of experiments include: (1) making a thermometer; (2) air/space relationship; (3) weight of air; (4) barometers; (5) particulates; (6) evaporation;…

Two Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) approaches to teaching high school biology were employed to study the relative effects which different curriculum approaches might have on certain intellectual aptitudes of students. Subjects included 144 students enrolled in the BSCS Yellow Version and 143 students enrolled in BSCS Blue Version.…

Investigated were the effects of a carefully sequenced program of integrated media on achievement and affective responses of students in a multi-media systems approach to Harvard Project Physics. Five Harvard Project teacher field consultants were selected to teach the multi-media package, and five others were selected as comparison teachers to…

This instrument contains activities by which one can determine a child's intellectual development in: (1) observing, (2) classifying, (3) measuring, (4) using numbers, (5) using space/time relationships, (6) inferring, and (7) communicating and predicting. The seven sections of the instrument correspond to those processes defined in Science - A…

The history of the planning, funding, preparation of preliminary materials, teacher preparation, trial teaching, evaluation, revision and final publication of the CHEM Study materials is presented. The anecdotal account points out the difficulties encountered, the solutions found and the pitfalls avoided so that the experience gained may be useful…

This report, which is the outcome of a joint project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, considers ways in which science teaching in elementary schools could be improved. It is addressed to scientists, professors of education, college…