This book studies the history of changing patterns in the dissemination, or popularization of scientific findings, to the general public since 1830. It focuses on three different areas of science: (1) health; (2) psychology; and (3) the natural sciences. The document explores the ways in which this process of popularization has deteriorated. It…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a preservice science methods course emphasizing the mastery of selected science process skills on the level of development of logical thinking of students majoring in elementary school education. The problem was investigated for one semester with experimental subjects in their junior year,…

This is the syllabus of a course that explores the technology of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy for electric power generation, and considers some problems of nuclear weapons proliferation and technical alternatives. It provides a course description, a course outline, a list of required readings, and information on the films shown in the…

The reviews of articles contained in this issue have been grouped into those dealing with research related to cognitive development and to instruction. In addition, seven science education researchers have provided responses to critiques of their published research. Included are: (1) an analysis of an article designed to persuade researchers to…

The ability to practice a profession is earned through educational preparation, experience, the passing of rigorous examinations, and commitment on the part of the practitioner to public service. Responsibilities are carried out by the professional in accordance with ethical standards developed through the years and in accordance with state laws…

This document focuses on evidence from problem solving case studies which indicate that analogy, extreme case analogies, and physical intuition can play an important role as forms of nonformal reasoning in scientific thinking. Two examples of nonformal reasoning are examined in greater detail from 10 case studies of "expert" problem solving.…

Because of the high rate of failure of engineering students in a required engineering physics course at the University of Texas at Austin, College Board Achievement Test (CBAT) scores in Mathematics Level 1 for 537 students enrolled in the course were compared with their physics grades. Performance on the mathematics section of the Scholastic…

Needs pertaining to changes in standards for California higher education facilities for the disciplines of engineering and the biological and physical sciences are reviewed in this publication. Aspects related to the study include: (l) a history of how space and utilization standards have been developed in California; (2) an overview of the…

The principal objective of this study was to determine the organizational sources of support for the scientists and engineers who have received the Nobel and other major scientific prizes. A secondary objective was to determine what role the National Science Foundation (NSF) may have played in the recipients' research careers. The results of the…

The Asian Network for Biological Sciences (ANBS) is a group of institutions, laboratories, research centers, and scholars who are willing to cooperate in programs and activities aimed at improving teaching and research in the biological sciences. This publication: (1) outlines ANBS aims and objectives; (2) describes major activities in the past;…

For the past two decades, increasing numbers of scientists have been optimistic about finding other intelligent life forms in our galaxy. On the other hand, as knowledge has grown regarding how life developed on earth, a scientific counterrevolution has evolved. Simply stated, it questions the inevitability of widespread life within our galaxy,…

Selections from volume 4 (numbers 1-4) of the Task Force on Computers in Chemical Education (TFCCE) Newsletter are presented. Number 1 includes an introduction to and objectives of the newsletter and TFCCE, a report on computer-related activities in the chemistry department at Eastern Michigan University, a list of TFCCE members, a discussion of a…

One of the most striking developments in understanding science learning has been the discovery of the extent and persistence of the naive conceptions about the natural world students bring with them to the classroom. In physics and other sciences, students (even those who do well on textbook problems) often do not apply principles they have…

Through everyday experience people acquire knowledge about how moving objects behave. For example, if a rock is thrown up into the air, it will fall back to earth. Research has shown that people's ideas about why moving objects behave as they do are often quite inconsistent with the principles of classical mechanics. In fact, many people hold a…

Students have well-formed but incorrect theories of simple motion. As children, they interpret many phenomena related to motion before encountering any formal science education. Since most adults have misconceptions, children's questions are not answered correctly, so the misconceptions persist. Thus, every science teacher must face the prospect…