The questions of how science should be taught and why science education is failing are addressed in this article. The science/technology/society (STS) perspective and the importance of students becoming scientifically literate are emphasized. The essential elements of a high quality science curriculum are listed. (KR)

Synthesizes existing, isolated bits of information on U.S. secondary student enrollment in advanced science courses. Among the findings for grades 10, 11, and 12, the percentage of those students enrolled in Advanced Biology is 20, 26, and 54. Advanced Chemistry is 0, 33, and 67; and Advanced Physics is 0, 10, and 90. (PR)

The purpose of this study involving 12 classrooms was twofold: (1) to understand the conceptual frameworks that sixth-grade students use to explain the nature of matter and molecules, and (2) to assess the effectiveness of 2 alternative curriculum units in promoting students' scientific understanding. Results reveal that students' entering…

Describes a course, "Great Ideas in Science," for undergraduate nonscience major students. The course emphasizes a few key overarching concepts in physics, chemistry, geology, and biology to introduce students to the essential aspects of science without getting involved in the complex vocabulary or rigorous mathematical derivations. (PR)

Presents a unit on evolution and creation theories in which students explore the legal issues surrounding the teaching of evolution and creation in biology. Students write preliminary essays, study conflict resolution techniques, and conduct a moot trial of the Scopes case of 1925. A course outline is provided. (MDH)

Describes a secondary science and mathematics teacher education course at Cornell University which encourages students to think reflectively about their understanding of subject matter and question common schooling practices contributing to poor understanding of science. The course requires significant amounts of involvement through writing,…

A middle school principal describes her school's exemplary hands-on science program. (PR)

Identifies four programs meeting the criteria for being considered exemplary in biology education in grades 7 through 12 nationwide. Provides the selection criteria for program goals, curriculum, instruction, and staff. Expresses the concern that programs are not treating biology as a scientific process, nor addressing social and technological…

Discusses physical disabilities and laws for "mainstreaming." Presents a checklist for classroom safety for the physically disabled. (PR)

Describes scientific and technical accomplishments of Africans in developing the calendar, surgery, and gynecology and of Native Americans in developing astronomy, architecture, and agriculture. (Contains 93 references) (PR)

Describes the following uses for a video camera in the science classroom: video presentations, microscope work, taping and/or monitoring experiments, analyzing everyday phenomena, lesson enhancement, field trip alternative, and classroom management. (PR)

Argues that consideration should be given to whether teaching solubility product calculations is at all useful. Claims that experienced teachers seriously misunderstand and misuse solubility product calculations. (DDR)

Suggests that numerous interventions for increasing the status of women in qualitative disciplines can be found in the literature. Presents an annotated bibliography of print and computer resources related to such interventions. Contains 37 references. (DDR)

Explores the changing nature of upper secondary school science subject enrollments over two decades. Discusses the fact that enrollments in chemistry, physics, and biology increased up until 1991 and declined from 1992-1995. (DDR)

Argues that one advantage of using film as a medium in the classroom is that it draws on an activity students find interesting. Focuses on the use of certain episodes of the series "Star Trek: The Next Generation." (DDR)