The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agricultural communications curriculum in Texas high schools using perceptions of agriscience teachers (n=145) in Texas high schools. Another intention of the study was to determine perceived abilities of agriscience teachers to teach agricultural communications courses. Answers to questions related to…

This yearbook addresses critical issues in science learning and teaching. Contents are divided into four sections: (1) "How Do Students Learn Science?"; (2) "Designing Curriculum for Student Learning"; (3) "Teaching That Enhances Student Learning"; and (4) "Assessing Student Learning." Papers include: (1) "How Students Learn and How Teachers…

This evaluation of mini-conferences conducted for Alabama teachers who completed training in the 1996 Summer Space Orientation for Professional Educators (SOPE) examines the effectiveness of follow-up sessions for teachers (N=69) and provides baseline data on teachers' knowledge of and attitudes toward teaching science. Conclusions about the 1996…

This digest provides four guideposts for tropical rainforest education: (1) structure; (2) location and climate; (3) importance; and (4) conservation of resources. Research is cited and background information provided about the layers of life and the adaptations of life within the tropical rain forest. Aspects of life within and near rain forests…

Describes "Studies in the Physical Sciences" (SPS), an audiotutorial physical science course designed for non-science elementary school classrooms. The course is completely laboratory-centered with no formally scheduled classes. Students can work at their own speed, choose what they will study from the sixteen units available and design…

Describes in general terms the nature of Alternative Schools, and more specifically discusses the program at Alternative School East, which serves four public school districts in the Philadelphia area. Outlines the curriculum and teaching methods used in biology. An interdisciplinary approach and learning activities in the community are…

Describes a course in microbiology offered as a high school science elective. The laboratory-oriented course has proved to be very popular and provides students with the basic techniques for handling equipment and working safely with bacteria. (JR)

The Directory of In-Service Training is a listing of short courses and seminars offered in the fields of science, technology, management, medicine and health, and law and government in the United States. Listings by subject and location and a sponsor address list are included. (AG)

Mechanical movement, pressure, floating bodies, heat phenomena, electrical phenomena, when applied to military problems "for the patriotic edification and military instruction of the children" excite interest and place theory on concrete foundations. Examples of applied physical concepts follow in this article. (Author/JH)

Describes a semester-long field trip in which 26 students of the University of Colorado studied the geology of the western United States. Only four of the participating students were geology majors. (JR)

In the transition from the traditional science teaching approach to an activity centered curriculum, useful pieces of scientific equipment are often no longer needed and stored. Suggests ways in which the resourceful teacher can use this equipment to supplement the new curriculum with additional student activities. (JR)

At Harvard, physics courses are divided into units that the students can master at their own pace and that offer more student-teacher contact and personal attention. (PG)

Suggests that much can be done to improve the quality of science instruction in the elementary school, and by answering a series of questions about elementary science education, attempts to positively infleunce the primary teacher's outlook on the teaching of science. (JR)

A short description of the Physics Computer Development Project at the University of California, Irvine, concerned with effective ways of using computers in the teaching environment. (Author)

A descriptive paper which attempts to give a brief overview of the nature of the course materials used in Science teaching at the Open University and the procedures adopted for assessment and evaluation. (Author)