This study compared the classroom environments as perceived by fourth-grade, seventh-grade and high school boys and girls in classes taught by males and females to determine if any perceptual differences existed. The analyses showed no differences for fourth-grade students, one for seventh-grade students, and three for high school students.…

Identifies two stages in research on scientific literacy; a composite saturation stage in which definitions covered all objects of science education, and a stage when researchers focused on small manageable portions of scientific literacy. Describes formal, nonformal, and informal science teaching. (TW)

Explores the rationale behind the importance of teaching young secondary school students how to look for correlation patterns. Describes two lessons that show how pupils can experience zero, positive, and negative correlation patterns between variables. Indicates the possible success of the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education project.…

Describes a multiple-choice instrument that reliably and validly diagnoses secondary students' understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plants. Highlights the consistency of students' misconceptions across secondary levels and indicates a high percentage of students have misconceptions regarding plant physiology. (CW)

Describes some of the program characteristics and activities in the Technology Education Program at Bellevue High School (Washington). Discusses the programs involvement with robots, lasers, plotters, and computers. (TW)

Reports on a study in which 61 science supervisors were asked to identify their most effective and least effective teachers. Differences were found regarding gender, quantity of National Science Foundation workshop experiences, and certain elected in-service experiences. (TW)

Addresses several questions related to British secondary students' choices in science, particularly as they relate to gender differences. Cites several national surveys that suggest that girls tend to choose biological science courses, while boys choose physical and technological science courses. (TW)

Contains four articles about various aspects of science education. Addresses a graded assessment scheme in Great Britain, factors affecting school science achievement in Nigeria, the need to address differentiation in science curricula, and the encouragement of developing science hypothesis in elementary schools. (TW)

Presents data which leads to the construction of a response to the question of how different phases of the learning cycle influence physics students' content achievement and attitudes. Discusses the importance of the learning cycle in science instruction and the strength of using contrasting techniques (qualitative and quantitative) in research.…

Reviews recent research addressing the problem of matching students' cognitive levels to science textbooks. Suggests that most texts are written above the level of the students for whom they are written. Promotes experiential learning at the middle level and concentration on "right thinking" rather than on "right answers." (CW)

Discusses the state of biochemistry education in the United Kingdom. Gives an overview of the current educational system. Lists the problems of the school children, the school teachers, and the university teachers and emphasizes problems in the school syllabi. Suggests solutions to these problems. (CW)

Illustrates the scope of experimental investigations for biochemistry education in high school biology and chemistry courses. Gives a brief overview of biochemistry experiments with proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, vitamins, metabolism, electron transport, and photosynthesis including materials, procedures, and outcomes.…

Reviews a National Science Foundation funded workshop ("Investigations in the Natural Sciences") for science teachers on how to use laboratory centered materials developed by the Science Education Center at the University of Oklahoma. Presents the results of a survey of the participants. Highlights the program's strengths. (CW)

Discusses the need for safety programs in small colleges/universities and secondary schools, addressing objectives of such programs and major program components. Sample forms are included (hazardous materials log sheet, laboratory class safety checklist, laboratory room safety checklist, injury accident report, noninjury accident report, and room…

Explains how computer and game port interfacing reduces the time required for data collection and organization and also stimulates student interest in science laboratory exercises. Illustrates this approach through a description of a population-variation lab. Includes diagrams for the construction of the interface box. (ML)