The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of three different approaches to professional development in Earth science education: preparing teachers to "adopt" expert-"design" curricula; preparing teachers to use a principled approach to design curricula; and preparing teachers to use a principled approach to "adapt" curricula. The claims…

Developing scientific literacy drove the teaching and learning experiences provided to pre-service primary education teachers. Interactive whiteboard (IWB) pedagogy was used to engage and motivate these students' to explore science's role in making sense of our world and to understand key scientific concepts. Active science learning connected to…

Background: Existing research suggests that one of the challenges for teachers in persisting with innovative inquiry curricula is their difficulty scaffolding students' transitions into technology-supported and open-ended activities. The question of whether students can effectively scaffold one another's transitions has not been previously…

The goal of this mini-curriculum is for students to discover what drinking water really is. Five units are designed to be presented as a lecture and to allow 30 to 40 students to perform every procedure, each testing their own tap water sample. Games are provided in each section to reinforce the concepts presented in each unit. Unit 1 introduces…

This curriculum module is designed to provide teachers with classroom activities that promote an understanding of environmental issues such as conservation, preservation, ecology, resource management, solid waste management, and recycling. The activities enable teachers, students in grades 4 through 8, and families to begin thinking about these…

The project on Scope Sequence and Coordination of Secondary School Science (SS&C) was initiated by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and recommends that all students study science every year and advocates carefully sequenced, well-coordinated instruction in biology, chemistry, earth/space science, and physics. This document…

The study reported in this paper examined a group of science teachers' beliefs about the implementation of controversial social/technical issues in the extant science curriculum. Beliefs were measured by a 44-item Likert type instrument. Teachers were asked to elucidate their ideas relating to the teaching of social issues in areas such as support…

The philosophy of the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) model is illustrated in this planned course outline on a thematic unit on corn. Parts of the lesson include the instructional objectives, instructional strategies, projects, and evaluation. Students will learn about the role of corn as a source of energy, the importance of crop yield and…

This book is the first curriculum developed to bring cutting edge research on the HIV virus into science classrooms. The book and video are coordinated to provide a range of learning opportunities--labs, activities, readings, model design, guided discussions and, in the video, a way to see research in action. Both the book and video emphasize the…

This brochure provides information about Project 2061's Benchmarks for Science Literacy. It includes background information on the development of Benchmarks, a rationale for developing scientific literacy in the general public, a list of those individuals and groups who could benefit most from using Benchmarks, a comparison of Benchmarks and the…

For 37 states in the United States, Project Wild has become an officially sanctioned, distributed and funded "environemtnal and conservation education program." For those who are striving to implement focused, sequential, learning programs, as well as those who wish to promote harmony through a non-anthropocentric world view, Project…

The purpose of this directory is to assist educators, parents, and students in attaining the National Education Goals, particularly Goal 4: "By the year 2000, U.S. students will be first in the world in science and mathematics achievement." The guidebook describes programs, along with contact information, that assist students who will go…

This document is a comprehensive directory of Federal offices, programs, and facilities for K-12 education in mathematics and science for the Mid-Atlantic Region. The purpose of this directory is to assist educators, parents, and students in attaining the National Education Goals, particularly Goal 4: "By the year 2000, U.S. students will be…

This document is a comprehensive directory of Federal offices, programs, and facilities for K-12 education in mathematics and science for the Mid-Continent Region. The purpose of this directory is to assist educators, parents, and students in attaining the National Education Goals, particularly Goal 4: "By the year 2000, U.S. students will be…

This document is a comprehensive directory of Federal offices, programs, and facilities for K-12 education in mathematics and science for the North Central Region. The purpose of this directory is to assist educators, parents, and students in attaining the National Education Goals, particularly Goal 4: "By the year 2000, U.S. students will be…