Describes the Hands On Science Outreach (HOSO) program which aims to provide informal science experiences for preschool and elementary-age children. Discusses participants views of the program. (JRH)

Measures both teaching efficacy and the holding of specific alternative conceptions of preservice elementary teachers (N=619). Uses a survey to determine the relationship between teaching efficacy and certain alternative conceptions. Contains 77 references. (DDR)

Describes a science activity in which students make a non-Newtonian fluid (slime), which has both solid and liquid properties. After reviewing the shape and volume of solids and volume of liquids, students make the slime using glue, liquid starch, and food coloring. They can experiment by rolling and dropping slime balls and by pulling the slime…

Documents the history and present state of science education at the primary level in Cyprus against the background of the general educational system and goals. (WRM)

Activities-oriented instruction offers multi modal opportunities for learning science. How do college students in elementary pre-service teacher preparation programs describe science lab activities in terms of visual, kinesthetic, auditory and motor characteristics? Research with elementary science methods students shows that the Levels of…

The development of deeper understanding and transferable skills in science requires continuous interactive discussion and feedback and extended practice in various contexts for generalisation. In primary schools, these desiderata are difficult to supply through direct teacher instruction, but might be feasible through interactive peer tutoring.…

In this article, the environmental content of the textbooks used for the teaching of natural sciences in Greek primary schools was examined. Specifically, by employing the method of content analysis, both representational (metaphors, depictions, values, etc.) and cognitive ecological concepts) elements, building images of nature, and shaping our…

In this paper, we draw from a narrative life history approach to report in depth on the experiences of one teacher, Shagufta, in a high-poverty urban elementary school in Lahore, Pakistan. The purpose of reporting Shagufta's story is twofold. First, we want to make sense of her role as a science teacher--what should the children in her school…

Findings from a quasi-experimental study of children's ideas about the solar system and how these ideas changed in response to a 10-week intervention period of formal astronomy teaching at a single primary school in England are presented in detail. Initial interviews with all of the 9- to 11-year-olds involved revealed a relatively poorly…

Digital cameras are easy to find, easy to use, and offer great potential for incorporating technology into lessons. Project ideas can range from creating collections of objects to identify (e.g., insects, plants, rocks/minerals, and so on) to documenting the signs of the seasons or recording the progress of an investigation. Even stages of the…

Because of recent legislation, students with mild disabilities frequently receive science instruction in the general education classroom. Elementary teachers therefore have the challenge of teaching science to children with a wide range of abilities and preparing them to pass the federally mandated assessments in science. The emphasis in the…

This experimental study explores how 60 primary-age children's (9-11 years old) understanding of rocks was effected by instruction that used the conceptual structure of the rock cycle together with the analogy of aluminium can recycling. Using a combination of probes into children's understanding, including concept maps and semi-structured…

What does citizenship mean to a 6-year-old? To a 10-year-old? What does it mean to you? Is it merely about looking after other people? Would you agree that keeping a hamster in a cage in a primary classroom is cruel? How does a subject leader for science persuade colleagues that the non-statutory guidance for personal, social and health education…

It is amazing how many interesting projects are going on in schools that nobody else knows much about. Teachers in St Peters Primary School have, over recent years, been involved in projects on emotional intelligence and in particular have developed a special interest in the use of puppets and role-play in their teaching. A concern to ensure a…

What does learning in the outdoors involve? What are the benefits of outdoor experience--and learning? What approaches are effective? What are the benefits for teachers and schools? How can what happens in the "outdoor classroom" be best integrated with the "in-school" curriculum? The research summarised in this article…