In addition to presenting concepts that can help students understand and make decisions about energy issues, this guide provides guidance for teachers to incorporate energy education into their curricula. The guide is divided into two major sections: (1) the Energy Education Conceptual Framework and (2) the Suggested Scope and Sequence. The…

The student variables associated with scoring above the international mean on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) were studied in a group of U.S. students who took advanced mathematics or advanced mathematics and physics. The total sample was 2,349, with 1,158 females and 1,191 males. Formal parent education level and…

Many of today's popular sports are based around the use of a ball yet none are alike. In fact, they are all designed with specific characteristics in mind. In this activity, students investigate different balls' ability to bounce and represent the data they collect graphically. This activity uses a time frame of 100 minutes. (Author/SOE)

In this activity, students conduct several simple lab activities to learn about the five fundamental load types that can act on structures: tension, compression, shear, bending, and torsion. In Part One, students play the role of molecules in a beam subject to various loading schemes. In Part Two, students break foam insulation blocks by applying…

After a discussion about what a parachute is and how it works, students create a parachute using different materials that they think will work best. They then test their designs, which is followed by a class discussion to highlight which paper material worked best. This activity requires a 60-minute time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

This paper identifies five types of learning experiences which are relevant to understanding students' grasp of concepts and principles. These include exploring existing concepts, honing and clustering concepts, developing analytical and reasoning skills, developing problem solving skills, and structuring knowledge in memory. Each of these…

The purpose of this study was to describe the evolution of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in prospective secondary physics teachers. Craft knowledge was used as one epistemological perspective. The researcher used two cases, two prospective physics teachers, and followed their development through the science curriculum class and student…

Successful course reforms rely on the development of courses that support productive patterns of classroom interaction. Particularly in the case of inquiry-based classes, the ways that students talk to each other and how they interpret the instructor's actions can make great differences in their learning. This paper describes results of research…

The 1990s have seen change in the populations of graduate students in physics departments across the country. The Graduate Student Survey captures demographic characteristics of approximately 10,600 physics and astronomy students who were enrolled in the 1996-97 academic year. It describes the students' sources of support, areas of specialization,…

This study reports enrollments in general science, biology, chemistry, and physics in public high schools, the additional science offerings, the number of teachers serving these pupils, class size, grade placement of science subjects, time allotments for recitation and laboratory, and troublesome problems related to the teaching of science. The…

Describes the program in a summer institute for 25 junior high school science teachers. Innovations used in the program included lecture-demonstrations, small group discussions, open-ended laboratories, and viewing physics films. Problems that arose are reviewed. The method of evaluating the teachers is described. (LC)

Describes an optical cell, suitable for high-pressure studies between at least -130 and +150 degrees Celsius, which may be assembled for about $50. Discusses experimental demonstration of principles involved when using the apparatus, including effects of pressure on coordination of ions in solution and on reaction rates in solution. (JN)

Discusses the Rugby clock as a source of project material, use of ZX81 for experimental science, computer dice analog, oil recovery from reservoirs, and computer simulation of Thompson's experiment for determining e/m for an electron. Activities/procedures are provided when applicable. Also presents questions (and answers) related to time-coded…

Discusses the current crisis in science education, focusing on declining physics enrollments and physics teacher shortages. Indicates that the present situation is the culmination of a long trend, interrupted only weakly in the sputnik era, and that the state of the economy may provide a new context for examining the issues. (JN)

Examines science course selection by curriculum candidates (N=2178) for Northern Ireland GCE 0 level in 1980. Data are provided for nature (biology, chemistry, physics) and number of courses selected, and achievement (pass/failure rates). Data are also reported for males/females and type of school. (JN)