Describes a high school pilot program to meet California's science curriculum guidelines to adopt a Scope, Sequence and Coordination (SS&C) approach. The SS&C curriculum offers four science subjects for each year of high school. Concrete, phenomenological, and descriptive topics are covered during the early years and theoretical and…

Explains the origin and purpose of the National Science Education Standards. Defines what is meant by the term standards and describes the function of the National Science Education Standards as contributing to the development of a scientifically literate population. Contains 22 references. (DDR)

Outlines the development of a curriculum in molecular science that prepares those students who have a deep understanding of chemistry concepts and principles, have collaboration skills, are able to use modern technology, and can write about chemistry. (DDR)

Describes a course for non-chemistry majors that uses a distance-education format. Utilizes lectures on videotape, electronic communication, thematic research assignments, and take-home lab projects. (DDR)

Reports on a study to determine whether the presence of coordinate axes in a test of spatial-visualization ability affects scores and response times on a mental-rotations task for students enrolled in undergraduate introductory graphic communications classes. Based on Pavios's dual-coding theory. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

Reports on a project that attempts to inform faculty of female-friendly changes in curriculum content and pedagogy derived from research in women's and ethnic studies. Supports the hypothesis that more inclusionary techniques help reverse the trend of increasing student attrition. (DDR)

Focuses on an extended learning experience with worms as the main topic in which students collect and organize information and choose an experimental question. Based on the constructivist theory of learning. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Explores stereotypes of scientists and the effectiveness of a national curriculum at altering these ideas among primary children. Results confirm the prevalence of a gender-biased stereotype and an unrealistic view of students' work. Contains 20 references. (DDR)

Contends that cultural contexts determine how science education goals can be met in any particular region. Describes the basic tenets of the nature of science and how these ideas can be incorporated into the Turkish curriculum. Contextual adaptation would include incorporating more hands-on science projects, focusing on scientific literacy skills,…

Reviews collateral learning theory as a cognitive explanation for how pupils cope with disparate worldviews mediated by transcending cultural borders between their everyday culture and the culture of science. Proposes a new pedagogy in which teachers assume the role of culture broker in the classroom to achieve culturally sensitive curriculum and…

Discusses aspects of more than a decade of research and implementation of cross-curriculum themes as part of the curriculum for secondary school students in Spain. Comments on theoretical and practical issues encountered in developing similar projects. Contains 45 references. (Author/WRM)

Presents information about and ideas for teaching an evolutionary view of ethics. Argues that when behavioral and moral aspects of human evolution are presented in biology courses in lieu of anatomical and physiological aspects, students may become more accepting of evolutionary theory. Contains 16 references. (WRM)

Describes challenges to teaching evolution initiated by religious fundamentalist groups in the United States. Finds that the number of after-the-fact challenges to public school material, curricula, and instructional activities objected to because they included evolution or failed to include creation science from 1983-1996 is relatively small.…

Both teachers and learners can benefit from looking at the history of scientific discovery and science teaching. Discusses the history of curriculum change in biology education and the thought processes of historically prominent biologists. (Author/WRM)

Demonstrates how socioscientific material is marginalized through the structures and language of syllabus texts and through classroom practices using the example of Salters' Advanced Chemistry from the United Kingdom. Concludes that socioscientific content is gendered through association with social concerns and epistemological uncertainty, and…