Reviews the history of secondary science curriculum reform and presents an organizational and curricular framework for discussing why reformers committed to creating a science for living have difficulty altering prevailing patterns. Examines the influence of district, school, and classroom organization upon what curriculum is actually taught and…

Causal attributions for success and failure in science, mathematics, and English were studied with intellectually gifted secondary school students (n=30) and their nongifted siblings (n=32). For success in science, siblings had significantly higher effort and strategy attribution scores, and lower task easiness attribution scores than did gifted…

This project was designed to encourage ninth and tenth grade minority women to develop scientific interests through a series of Saturday seminars and a 10-day summer residential program. Pedagogical and environmental keys to project success included cooperative learning models, computer skills, research skills, communication skills, networking,…

Reports a study of classroom environmental variables related to students' views about science. Environmental and attitude scales indicated a wide variety of science classroom environments, teaching philosophies, and teaching expertise. In classrooms with significant student involvement, teacher support, group affiliation, organization, and teacher…

Presented are activities suggested through Project L.A.B.S. that involve the topic of toxicology. Activities include suggested research, the risk benefit seesaw, human-made compounds, legislation, a historical perspective, and health. A suggested readings list is provided. (KR)

Described is a take-home project in which students use an electronic systems kit to produce a working circuit. Students were asked to identify a security need in their own home and design and build a suitable security system. The use of a computer to produce the circuits is advised. (KR)

A paradigm that suggests the critical factor of quality rather than quantity of knowledge is proposed. The potential for retention and transfer in using a design and technology approach is discussed. Activities that generate relevant data for students are provided. (KR)

Describes the use of concept mapping (CM) in design, instruction, and assessment related to microbiology lessons prepared for high school students in Israel. Indicates that students utilizing CM displayed an overall, higher achievement gain than students in traditional classes. Recognizes that some teachers did not thoroughly exploit the potential…

Discusses students' awareness of science/technology/society (STS) issues, the importance students assign to STS issues, and students' achievement in a genetics unit after infusing STS vignettes into class discussions. Recommendations are made on the use of STS vignettes by science teachers. (KR)

Discussed are some areas of overlap between physics and astronomy. Topics include solar power, fusion reactions, atmospheric refraction, solar spectrum, Doppler effects, Hubble constant, quasars, redshift and the expanding universe, sunspots, sundial construction, solar spectroscopes, the moon, optics, wave theory, the history of science,…

Presented are some techniques aimed at motivating more high school students to take elective courses in chemistry and physics. Discussed are teacher attitudes about who should study chemistry and physics, preassessment of new topics, and the importance of communication between science teachers. (KR)

Discussed is the difference between reading fiction and reading science. The importance of reading orally and developing an awareness of text structure are discussed. A checklist and questions for analyzing the language structure of science textbooks are included. (KR)

Described is a simple electronic interface that can receive signals from up to four analog sensors and four event detectors and save the data on disk. Schematic diagrams, construction details, sample temperature plot and weather station logging programs, and a parts list are included. (KR)

A simple matrix that can be used as a tool for analyzing environmental actions is presented. By using this matrix and focusing on examples of efforts to resolve environmental issues, students can build a mental model of how environmental problems are solved. (KR)

The Northwest Power Plan, developed by the Northwest Power Planning Council to deal with the increasing demands for energy by the Pacific Northwest, is discussed. An idea of how sufficient energy could be produced as well as preserve the qualities of life that make the Pacific Northwest special is presented. (KR)