This cross-sectional study identifies key conceptual difficulties experienced by upper secondary school and pre-service chemistry teachers (N = 191) in the area of reaction rates. Students' ideas about reaction rates were elicited through a series of written tasks and individual interviews. In this paper, students' ideas related to reaction rate…

Trends in animal production have moved the industry toward large confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). These CAFOs concentrate large amounts of manure-based nutrients in relatively small areas, which increases the risk of nutrient loss to the surrounding environment. In response to water quality concerns, P-based manure application…

Undergraduate research is the most rewarding way for science students to become exposed to the process of scientific investigation. Water quality studies offer the unique advantages of being easily designed by the students and analytically approachable. This two-part, 14-month study involved several students in the delineation of ground water flow…

Science as inquiry is a key content standard #1 the National Science Education Standards; however, few secondary science teachers successfully and consistently implement inquiry-based instruction in their classrooms. This research examines the role of reform-based curricular materials in influencing the classroom practices of 12 high school…

This paper investigates the relationship between staff research and teaching in doctoral education with a special reference to disciplinary variations. The relationship between staff research (the 2001 RAE scores) and the effectiveness of doctoral education as perceived by students is analysed. On the whole, little relationship between…

Qualitative analysis schemes are used in undergraduate laboratory settings as a way to introduce equilibrium concepts and logical thinking. The main component of all qualitative analysis schemes is a flame test, as the color of light emitted from certain elements is distinctive and a flame photometer or spectrophotometer in each laboratory is…

Teaching involves strategic interactions and problem solving based on understanding of the situation, the discipline, and the population of students that one is teaching. The feedback from undergraduate students (UGs) and from faculty and other instructors coaching graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) in teaching provides outside perspectives, and…

This paper describes techniques developed as solutions to problems encountered while teaching blind or visually impaired students in chemistry courses at high school and postsecondary levels. Establishing and maintaining a sound student-instructor relationship is critical to the success and implementation of a plan of action for blind or visually…

Fifteen application-oriented chemical tutorials were developed out of which thirteen are currently in use in the general chemistry lab rotary curriculum for chemistry students at Washington University from 1998 to 2000. The central philosophy of the tutorial that the students learn to combine information from variety of sources like science…

This publication will provide managers and others with practical advice on how to plan, develop and model the Triple Science requirement, taking into account all the critical factors that need to be considered. This guidance concentrates on curriculum planning and design, including the use of the new (2006) specifications to provide Triple Science…

The recent structural reforms in New Zealand education have given schools and teachers unprecedented freedom in curricular design and delivery. Using official educational award statistics for 2004 and data arising from a study of 23 schools' upper secondary science curricula in the same year, this study represents an early monitoring of the impact…

Latinas/os form the largest minority group in the U.S. and they are growing more rapidly than any other ethnic group in this country. However, the number of Latinas/os in chemistry is not proportional to their population; they are noticeably absent from the physical science fields. Little research has explored the circumstances that Latino…

A pre-service science and mathematics teacher participated in an action research project to reform a chemistry course required of elementary and middle childhood pre-service teachers. Activities to emphasize a hands-on approach to learning chemistry and to model teaching science through inquiry for these pre-service teachers are described. The…

This report provides statistical information about the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering education and employment. Its primary purpose is to serve as an information source. It offers no endorsement of or recommendations about policies or programs. National Science Foundation reporting on…

In science teaching insufficient emphasis is placed on the fact that models are simulations of reality based on a certain theory and that molecules are not miniatures of the models that represent them. The study reported in this paper investigated how chemistry teachers perceive the nature and functions of models. The research population included…