Proposes the critical analysis of science fiction as a motivational enhancement for students to be strategically engaged in the learning of scientific concepts. Exemplifies this strategy with the analysis of the data presented in the science fiction short story, "Maelstrom II" written by Arthur C. Clarke, utilizing mathematical concepts…

Discussion of school effectiveness, achievement outcomes, and sociocultural influences focuses on a study of Nigerian high school students that was conducted to determine whether or not instruction based on a sociocultural model could significantly alter students' attitudes toward learning and achievement in science. (51 references) (LRW)

Survey responses from a stratified sample, across school type, of Israeli tenth graders (n=544) indicate that informal and nonformal science activities are associated with a distinctive commitment to science and science learning. Further, school conditions, home influences, and career aspirations appear to mediate the decision to participate in…

Ways in which students are allowed to choose, based on their curiosity at the moment, which way they will move through a lesson are described. Available software for interactive biology programs and available authoring software for developing interactive programs by teachers and students are listed. (KR)

Addresses the following question: "What are the issues in research and practice that need to be dealt with in order to lift science education out of the crisis it is perceived to be in? (PR)

Describes three programs designed to attract students to science education: Project 2061, developing curriculum models and blueprints for science teacher education; the Scope, Sequence, and Coordination Project, recommending that science be taught each year in grades 6-12; and the National Science Education Standards project, developing standards…

Presents an activity that models the changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere during the last 200 years as determined from glacial records. (PR)

A new classification of rocks that requires no tools other than a hand lens and that is both comprehensive and informative is described. Each of the three main rock groups is treated in two-dimensional, rectangular charts with additional appended boxes that provide optional mineralogical and textural terms that can be used in rock names. (PR)

Illustrates the nature of postlesson discussions between experienced and novice secondary teachers during an early field experience. Differences in the discussions suggest that the novices experienced significant variations in the substance and quality of field-based activities intended to help them develop teaching competence. (Author/SM)

Describes a study that investigated the effects of using different forms of computer-based feedback on high school students' learning of science material. Hypotheses tested are discussed, five feedback conditions are described, posttests are explained, and results are discussed in terms of the information processing effects of different feedback…

Explains that the science curriculum does little to raise the self-esteem of children from some ethnic groups and is seen by many as irrelevant to their experiences, needs, and interests. Explores ways these deficiencies can be rectified to help all children acquire scientific knowledge, interests, and skills without doing violence to their…

Describes school science as a rite of passage, and exposes problems in school science that are made visible through the use of this metaphor. (PR)

Describes a sequence of activities in which students set up a classroom aquarium to learn about aquaculture. Discusses the aquarium system, filtration and maintenance, adding organisms to the system, technological considerations, aquaculture economics, and political and social aspects of aquaculture. (MDH)

Describes a study of the academic self-concepts, attributions, and achievements of male and female Asian-American and European-American students who won Westinghouse Awards (n=301). Results showed that fewer European-American female recipients anticipated college majors in technical areas and scored lower on the SAT, self-concept scales, and…

Describes the use of C programming language for creating simple programs to teach about pendulums, waves, and frequency. (PR)