This case study explores the ways in which a beginning elementary classroom teacher gains a foothold in teaching science. The analysis includes episodes from the teacher's first three years of teaching while participating in an educational research project that investigated an inquiry-based approach to teacher professional development. The…

The mission of the National Center for Improving Science Education, a partnership between the NETWORK, Inc., and the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), is to promote changes in science curricula, science teaching, and assessment of student learning in science. The center analyzes and makes recommendations for policy and practice at the…

The Spacesuit wall chart to which this guidebook is a supplement, portrays Astronaut Bruce McCandless on his historic first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit during Shuttle mission 41-B (February 3-11, 1984), when he ventured 100 meters from the Shuttle's cargo bay and returned safely. The guidebook provides an in-depth…

The purpose of this study was to determine if first-, second-, and third-grade science textbooks integrate strategies to enhance literacy development in their texts, thereby reflecting an integrated language-arts perspective. Five sets of popular first-, second-, and third-grade science textbooks with 1990 and 1991 copyright dates were analyzed.…

From a science perspective, inquiry-oriented instruction engages students in the investigative nature of science. Inquiry involves activity and skills, but the focus is on the active search for knowledge or understanding to satisfy a curiosity. This digest further describes the distinguishing features of inquiry-oriented science instruction and…

This monograph outlines important issues that surround the topic of children's science books. In the introduction, the role of books in hands-on science curricula is discussed. In the title essay of the collection, F. J. Rutherford argues against the reliance on textbooks in elementary school science, but yet feels that books are an essential part…

Identifying and providing the most appropriate classroom environment for living organisms can be time consuming, expensive, and sometimes seemingly impossible. This document, a collection of 2-4 page articles from "Sciences and Children," provides useful information on the collecting and culturing of plants and animals. Among the 43 chapters are:…

This paper seeks to explore how beginning elementary school teachers (N=161) in Singapore conceive the scope and nature of science and to understand the relationship between those views and their present approach to, as well as their past experience of, science teaching and learning. Results of an inquiry into the teachers' views indicate that…

The purpose of this guide is to educate young people about the problems associated with solid waste. The activities encourage them to think about options for reducing the amount of waste they generate and how they can help by recycling and learning about other waste management alternatives. The lesson plans deal specifically with garbage and…

The Second IEA Science Study (SISS) was carried out in 1983 in 24 countries. In the United States a second phase of testing was undertaken in 1986. This document describes the organization of the study in the United States and highlights some of the results and their possible implications for science education. The countries included in the SISS…

This document contains materials for a 10-day teaching unit on solid waste recycling for grades K-6. Included are: (1) "The Scrap Map," which shows recycling cycles for metals and paper, and a cryptic word puzzle; (2) three pamphlets on recycling paper, nonferrous scrap metals, and scrap iron and steel; (3) a list of the chapters of the Institute…

A number of studies in science education have indicated the general effectiveness of level one videodisc-based programs in improving student knowledge in the sciences. The purpose of the evaluation study was to ascertain the effectiveness of the videodisc-based elementary science program in selected K-6 grade classrooms as determined by the users…

This supplement to the Chicago public schools' science curriculum guide is for use with Vietnamese-speaking students and is designed to help students make the transition to science learning in English. English-Vietnamese vocabulary lists, independent learning activities (in Vietnamese), and teaching aids (cultural activities such as songs,…

Part of the Concepts in Science Project at the University of Surrey is to explore the complex structure and organization of ideas and meaning that children bring with them to their science lessons. To examine these ideas and meanings, a distinction is made between children's intuitive understanding of their world (children's science) and the…

Provided is a collection of 54 health education activities which attempt to bridge the gap between health information and changing health-related behaviors. The activities, which vary in content and in levels of difficulty, are grouped into six chapters with a range of 8 to 11 activities in each chapter. Chapters focus on body organs and systems,…