In this "O-"fish"-ial" research project, third-grade students use multiple resources to research several fish species, write a research paper and develop a PowerPoint presentation to communicate their findings. In addition, students actually examine these species up close with samples from the local market, and then conclude the project with a…

The No Child Left Behind Act (2001) placed pressure on elementary teachers to raise standardized test scores in reading and mathematics. Unfortunately, the focus on reading and math has led to reduced time for science instruction. Mandatory standardized testing in science began in elementary schools across the United States in 2007. Instructing…

The story from the museum may not be read by visitors, who come with their own knowledge and understanding and read a different story in the animals. The visitors read a story which makes sense to them and builds on what they already know and interests them. Increasingly, robotics models are being used in natural history museums, science centers,…

This article addresses issues that are related to the empowerment of elementary teachers through teaching and learning science in socially and culturally meaningful contexts. It is based on the analysis of the attitudes and relationship to science of 10 elementary school teachers from inner city schools in Caracas, Venezuela. In the context of a…

This paper reports the findings of a study exploring the use of a software package to help pupils understand particulate explanations for melting and evaporation below boiling point. Two matched classes in a primary school in Greece (ages 11-12, n = 16 and 19) were involved in a short intervention of six one hour lessons. Covering the same…

The WebQuest as an instructional tool has recently been widely adopted in K-16 education. However, its underlying principles and functionality are not well understood, which has resulted in an inconsistency in practice. This study identifies the underlying constructs of WebQuests as perceived by teachers and variables affecting their perceptions…

A series of demonstrations is described that elucidate the operation of commercial fog machines by using common laboratory equipment and supplies. The formation of fogs, or "mixing clouds", is discussed in terms of the phase diagram for water and other chemical principles. The demonstrations can be adapted for presentation suitable for elementary…

This preliminary study seeks to explore whether wonder-based reflections are sources of inspiration for our future teachers of science. What experiences have brought them personally a sense of wonder and when, if at all, do they employ scientific explanations of those events? In all 140 pre-service primary teachers, when questioned, described 240…

This paper explores the development of student-teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) during pre-service education. Four student-teachers in mathematics and science participated in a project teaching physics to students aged 9-11 years once a week over a 12-month period. One-third of the lessons were videotaped and the student-teachers were…

Females are underrepresented in technology-related careers and educational programs; many researchers suggest this can be traced back to negative feelings of computer self-efficacy developed as early as the age of 10. This study investigated the effect of embedding technology into a 5th grade science classroom and measuring its effect on…

This first book in the series of elementary science readers deals with plants, insects, birds, and higher animals. It is intended both to give the essential facts of science that children of the third and fourth grades should know and to serve as a school reader. It is then a content reader, furnishing additional reading material for increasing…

This second book in the series of elementary science readers is a continuation of the subject matter of the first book (ED623220), dealing with plants, insects, birds, and higher animals, and the same principles underlie its construction. The purpose is to provide a body of reading material that will not only give increased power in reading, but…

The type of subject matter included in this book has been changed from that presented in the first (ED623220) and second (ED623221) books. While the first two books dealt with the elementary facts of biology, this third book is devoted to the facts of chemistry and bacteriology in their simple form. The purpose of this book, moreover, is not…

This fourth book in the series of elementary science readers is a continuation of the previous first book (ED623220), second book (ED623221), and third book (ED623222), with a different emphasis. The central theme of this book is man in his struggle for adjustment to the earth as his home with emphasis upon organized effort and social adjustment.…

This textbook has been organized on a seasonal basis. Subject matter has been arranged throughout so it will be suitable for the season of the year in which it normally will be studied. To test reading ability, different forms of new-type tests have been included at the end of every chapter under the heading, "Some Things to Think…