This exploratory study was aimed at uncovering children's beliefs and ideas about the human circulatory system. Thirty-two subjects, aged 7 to 14 years, were interviewed using a modification of Piaget's clinical method. The data were analyzed by developing a conceptual inventory of beliefs for each of five research questions. It was found that the…

Relationships between an inquiry-oriented science inservice education program and teacher implementation of workshop-developed materials were investigated. Workshop topics included Piagetian learning theory, creating classrooms conducive to implementing inquiry-oriented science programs, use of the learning cycle, and matching learning activities…

This study attempted to identify specific social environmental factors of the home that are related to science achievement at the primary school level and to determine the extent of the relationships between achievement in science and the factors identified. A sample of 200 subjects were given three instruments in a group setting, a mental ability…

Recent research shows that students' understanding of many scientific topics is influenced by misconceptions that conflict with accepted scientific theories and persist even after instruction. In this study, student misconceptions were identified and used as a basis for analyzing the classroom behavior of teachers and students and for developing…

Various collaborative efforts involved in implementing a district-developed science curriculum are described in four papers. "The Design and Utilization of a Concerns-Based Staff Development Program for Implementing a Revised Science Curriculum in Eighty Elementary Schools" (Harold Pratt, Marge Melle, Jim Metzdorf, Susan Loucks) reports…

Science and technology fairs are designed to display project work completed by students from a wide range of ages and abilities. The key to organizing a successful fair is advanced planning. This guide which has been compiled with the help and advice of many fair organizers, is intended to provide a checklist of items for organizers of future…

Background information, lists of materials needed, and detailed procedures are provided for five science projects. These projects involve constructing and using: (1) an electric pencil; (2) a buzzer to send coded messages; (3) a battery which produces light; (4) a radio that plays for free; and (5) a supersensitive cigar-box microphone. Diagrams…

The effect of pictures on reading comprehension under different levels of text organization was investigated. Sixth graders (N=132) read three science passages, presented with or without pictures representing text content. Picture condition was crossed with three levels of text organization. Multiple-choice test scores were analyzed using reading…

This teaching guide provides background information, instructions, and copies of sample cards needed for an image walk, a series of demonstrations and activities that reveal the images carried by sunlight. The three cards are used: (1) to demonstrate that sunlight passing through holes of any shape create round spots of light--images of the sun;…

This instructional packet is one of 14 school environmental education programs developed for use in the classroom and at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center (DEEC) of the Jackson Community College (Michigan). Provided in the packet are pre-trip activities, field trip activities, and post-trip activities which focus on the characteristics and…

Reports the development of an investigative college program in physical science designed for elementary teachers. (PEB)

Presents two exercises modeled after the ice age puzzle described in the ESCP textbook, including formation of terminal moraines and kettle lakes and intersection of normal faults with gold-quartz veins. Indicates that the stratigraphic profiles are usable in teaching earth science, geography, general science, and topographic problems. (CC)

This instructional unit contains a set of nine lessons on energy for grade one. Each lesson contains complete teacher and student materials. Reading skills and language experiences are reinforced in each activity. The lessons cover such topics as energy from food, energy from the sun, fossil fuels, the wind, moving water, and energy conservation.…

This report describes the University of Wyoming's Portal School Program. The program provides inservice teacher training in science to elementary and secondary school teachers. Teacher workshops are organized so that teachers can explore and learn to implement new curricula in their science classes. The Portal School Program is a joint effort of…

This publication includes a survey and descriptions of selected state energy education curriculum materials. The basic tasks of the survey were to determine, (1) if states had systematic energy education programs for their elementary and secondary schools, and (2) if existing curriculum materials met national needs. An instrument to evaluate…