Discusses the definition of scientific literacy, the curriculum of primary and secondary schools, scientists and teachers, cooperation with industry, and the resources and morale of teachers. (YP)

Notes the remarkable success of the astronomy component of the National Curriculum in England and Wales. Presents findings of a survey of children's astronomical beliefs, which are consistent with constructivist theory, and proposes the value of children's astronomy learning. Argues that a 1995 revision in the National Curriculum, which would…

Describes an introductory biology course designed to enhanced the science learning of elementary education majors. A consideration of students' learning styles and interests combined with a belief that science academic talent is not a selective process, resulted in a biology course that was academically challenging and enjoyable for students. (ZWH)

Diverts from the traditional approach to teaching ecology and moves toward a more interdisciplinary approach by engaging students in a field trip to the Rocky Mountains. Using examples and insights, the author describes and identifies opportunities for promoting knowledge, understanding, and awareness of the environment and its surroundings. (ZWH)

Two studies examined the construction of children's beliefs about projectile motion of a ball rolled off a table. Describes the concepts used by children, analyzes their use as a function of age, and gives a naturalistic description of their use. Results indicate that appropriate instruction can remediate misconceptions. (MDH)

Presents a project-based curriculum, Foundations of Science (FOS), that integrates the physical and biological sciences. Consists of three years of integrated science based on: integrating science disciplines, project-based science, inclusion of authentic problems, and routine uses of technology. (nine references) (JRH)

Presents a rubric scheme for assessing science process skills in an authentic science exercise. Discrete elements of each skill or task are identified in a binary fashion (yes/no) so that a scorer need only determine whether the element is present or absent. Thirteen science process skills are assessed with this scheme. (PR)

Examined is the wide range of statements of attainment in the National Curriculum that start with the phrase "be able to." A categorization of these statements is used to provide signposts for effective teaching and learning. The implications for in-service work and assessment arising from this categorization are considered. (KR)

Discusses the teaching of particle physics as part of the A-level physics course in British secondary schools. Utilizes the quark model of hadrons and the conceptual kinematics of particle collisions, as examples, to demonstrate practical instructional possibilities in relation to student expectations. (JJK)

A collaborative effort designed to combine the skills of scientists and educators to prepare science teachers is described. The cooperative effort between a scientist, a science educator, and a science teacher in teaching a course and in field supervision is discussed. Classroom environment, collaborative and cooperative instruction, and…

Research on science education (case studies, cost-effectiveness estimates, surveys, and experiments), particularly for primary and secondary schools in low- and middle-income areas, is reviewed. Meta-analysis suggests that science education in developing countries can be made more productive. Effective ways of promoting science education are…

Utilizing student interviews, this study assessed fourth, eighth, and eleventh graders (n=105) in 11 Maine schools concerning their understanding of 4 natural and social science concepts related to pollution. The results hold direct implications for teaching strategies and curriculum design within the environmental and science education domains.…

Examines features of science experiments that make them interesting to middle school students (n=59 seventh graders). Compared a model of interest in learning with the reasons students gave for liking experiments. Latent partition analysis was used to derive an empirical model from characteristics of interesting science experiments. (PR)

Presents an overview of research on analogies in education conducted over the last 15 years. It includes metaphors in an analysis of the educational power of analogies. The role of analogies is analyzed from a constructivist position. (PR)

The outcomes of two studies reported here indicate that the teacher inservice workshops, combined with activity-based science lessons, affected students' attitudes and perceptions about electricity. Australian and U.S. studies produced different patterns and are explored and explained in the paper. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/PR)