The purpose of this study was to determine the concerns of Texas science teachers about the 40 percent laboratory time rule just prior to enforcement and at the end of its first year of implementation. The methodology, results of the first and second years, conclusions, and implications for teaching science are discussed. (KR)

Bioscience education in optometric professional programs must be expanded in scope, raised to a higher level of academic rigor, and strengthened with new faculty and institutional learning resources. However, no single route of curriculum reform will guarantee successful innovation in the basic bioscience education of optometrists; several…

An introduction to Earth systems education describes a need and framework for an earth-systems focus in precollege curriculum. Challenges teachers to include this focus in science curriculum by following the guidelines presented in the Earth systems approach to science education. (five references) (MCO)

Provides insights on the causes of the poor writing skills of many students. Also included are suggestions for improving students' abilities to write. (ZWH)

Some developments in the World Wide Fund for Nature's Environmental Education Programme are discussed, in particular its research into whole school management of cross-curricular themes. Also considered is whether the so-called precautionary principle is an appropriate concept to include in the science curriculum and suggests the need for broad…

This article uses a science learning activity to demonstrate how Key Stage 3 of the British National Curriculum in science can be made accessible to students with special educational needs. It explains 11 steps of instructional development that help in identifying differentiated learning objectives and allow for appropriate assessments. (DB)

The research agenda of Ohio State University's National Center for Science Teaching and Learning focuses on five external influences on science teaching and learning and notes intellectual predispositions that guide its work. The article emphasizes the need for true intellectual interaction between educators, scientists, and policymakers. (SM)

Examined is the uniformity of curricula and instructional methods used in college biology education in the United States. Areas of special focus include curricula, introductory courses, laboratories, field experiences, faculty roles, undergraduate research, textbooks, ethics and values, encouraging underrepresented groups, capstone experiences,…

National Science Foundation support for instructional innovation in design curriculum is discussed. Programs that illustrate diverse approaches to teaching design are described. A list of programs given engineering curriculum development awards in 1988 and 1989 is provided. (CW)

Included are the general guidelines, outline, a summary of major intermedia transport processes, model features, a discussion of multimedia exposure and health risk, and a list of 50 suggested references for this course. (CW)

This article reviews a top down 11-step model for identifying critical life skills content, describes a high school science course incorporating a life skills orientation, and examines some considerations related to incorporating life skills content into the programs of students with special needs. (DB)

The premise of this report is that only the science-technology-society (STS) effort offers the potential for meeting the challenge of science for a general education. Presents the goals of STS issue-based instruction. (PR)

Discusses science education reform based on constructivism. Explains that some educators view constructivism as a basis for a unifying theme for science education. (PR)

Examined the means used by textbook authors to introduce, define, and explain the mole concept in high school and introductory college chemistry textbooks (n=29). Among the conclusions are that the presentation and definitions of moles in the textbooks are most frequently abstract and theoretical in nature. (PR)

From an analysis of 11 textbooks for science-technology-society (STS) subjects, it was found that less than 7% of the narrative space is devoted to STS topics, with a range of 11.5% to 0.5%. The coverage of STS topics decreases as grade level increases. (PR)