The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high school students' long-term authentic research projects with Information Technologies (IT) in small groups in and out of school time on their affective dispositions in science. This study was conducted in the context of a three-year NSF project, namely, Translating Information…

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the impact of Internet Virtual Physics Laboratory (IVPL) instruction with traditional laboratory instruction in physics academic achievement, performance of science process skills, and computer attitudes of tenth grade students. One-hundred and fifty students from four classes at one private…

In the United States, traditionally underrepresented minority children have lower levels of academic achievement than their white counterparts. In the broadest perspective, this quantitative study seeks to help stakeholders and policymakers understand the factors responsible for Hispanic or Latino student achievement relative to that of comparison…

This document presents a science project appropriate for lower elementary grades which is intended to introduce the ways of science, not to give established information or teach specific procedures. Each activity (corresponding to 10 days) contains three sections: teacher notes, teacher narrative, and research notes. Sample activities include: (1)…

Teaching is essentially a personal and professional business in which lively, thinking, enthusiastic teachers continue to analyze their own activities and mediate the curriculum framework to their students. This book aims at encouraging teachers and curriculum developers to continue to rethink how science and technology should be taught in…

This book is designed to help students understand the nature of scientific inquiry by involving them in doing science rather than merely reading about it. The content of the text emphasizes science process skills, mathematical skills, and the use of theories and models that are fundamental for learning the various science disciplines. The…

The physical science activities contained in this guide extend the natural curiosity of K-2 students (can be adapted for Prekindergarten) by providing them with: (1) objects and time for free exploration; (2) challenges to focus further explorations; and (3) opportunities for meaningful reflection. Throughout the unit students engage in many of…

This book is based on the premise that students apply thinking skills to learning science concepts and principles by doing through direct, firsthand experiences in an interactive, open atmosphere; constructing by building their knowledge through guided inquiry; and connecting by relating their learning to the world around them. The contents of…

The Collaborative Ukrainian Experiment (CUE) was a joint mission between the United States and the Ukraine (Russia) whose projects were designed to address specific questions about prior plant science microgravity experiments. The education project that grew out of this, Teachers and Students Investigating Plants in Space (TSIPS), involved…

Hands-on science is not a new idea. It has been implemented successfully in many schools. But it is far from being universally used in American elementary schools. Several problems must be overcome in order to implement a successful hands-on science program. This booklet contains guidelines to eliminate some of the difficulties involved in…

A new module in a first year mechanical drawing course was designed with the primary goal of exciting chemical engineering students about mechanical things. Other goals included increasing student ability and confidence to explain how things work. A variety of high intensity, hands-on, facilitated group activities using pumps and valves were…

How learners learn to take responsibility for their own learning remains a challenge for educators. One concept that has not been widely considered that we propose is an important requirement in successful independent learning is the concept of Gumption (Pirsig, 1974). Gumption is all about initiative and creativity, zeal and vigour--the practical…

This teacher's guide presents a unit on acid rain and introduces hands-on activities for sixth through eighth grade students. In each unit, students act as real scientists and gather evidence by using science process skills such as observing, measuring and recording data, classifying, role playing, problem solving, critical thinking, synthesizing…

This monograph presents a view of teachers and scientists cooperating in a co-learning experience. The CO-LEARNERS program is based on constructivism and provides opportunities for teachers to experience science process skills. Contents include: (1) "Impact of Scientific Research Experiences: Preservice Teachers' Ideas on How They Think About and…

Our research question was whether we could develop a feasible technique, using Bayesian networks, to diagnose gaps in student knowledge. Thirty-four college-age participants completed tasks designed to measure conceptual knowledge, procedural knowledge, and problem-solving skills related to circuit analysis. A Bayesian network was used to model…