This document submits that the existence of objective knowledge and the possibility of communicating it by means of language have traditionally been taken for granted by educators. This paper presents a brief outline of an alternative theory of knowing that takes into account the thinking organism's cognitive isolation from "reality."…

Institutions of higher education in the United States appear to many to have the capacity to provide enough scientists and engineers to meet the nation's needs. However, many researchers, employers and policymakers are concerned that the future supply will be inadequate. In the early 1990s the United States will experience a decline in the number…

These activities and activity ideas are designed to reinforce energy concepts when only short periods of time are available. They require little teacher preparation, and take only a few minutes to complete. Some activities can be extended for longer periods of time. The activities have been separated into the following general categories: (1)…

The education pipeline in the United States from prekindergarten through the Ph.D. is failing to produce the workers needed to meet future demand. In the year 2000, 85 percent of new entrants to the workforce will be members of minority groups and women. The number of capable persons with disabilities will also rise. These three groups have…

The effect of mode of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and individual learning differences on the learning of science concepts was investigated. University elementary education majors learned about home energy use from either a computer simulation or a computer tutorial. Learning of science concepts was measured using achievement and…

Science, society, nature, and culture are interacting forces on the lives of all people. They become increasingly complex with time. In this address, a perspective of science, technology, and society is offered and suggestions and recommendations are made for how teachers can and should integrate this topic effectively into instructional programs.…

In this report, the search is continued for exemplary elementary science programs. Included is a chapter explaining the excellence in elementary science concept which touches upon: (1) goals; (2) characteristics of an ideal curriculum; (3) resources and materials; (4) administrative leadership; (5) classroom environment; and (6) program…

Preservice elementary school teachers entering a science methods course have been found to differ widely in their command of science process skills. A study was undertaken to examine several variables suggested by the literature to be related to these skills. Forty-five preservice elementary school teachers (5 males and 40 females) were tested at…

This syllabus provides a list of concepts and understandings related to four areas of energy. They are: (1) the nature of energy (an energy definition, basic categories of energy, forms of energy, laws of energy conversion, and measuring energy); (2) energy sources of the past and present (history of energy use and present major sources of…

This study investigated the extent of attitudinal change towards the teaching of science in elementary teachers (N=35) in Trinidad and Tobago during an activity-oriented science curriculum development workshop. The model used during the attempts to: (1) incorporate some aspects of science content development, manipulative hands-on experiences,…

This elementary school unit on wetland ecology consists of 12 activities and activity packets containing data sheets, activity sheets, flash cards, game cards, and other materials needed to complete the activities. The first activity is the text for a slide-tape show which provides an overview of the entire unit. Each of the remaining activities…

Elementary science educational library resources in New England graduate and undergraduate teacher education institutions were compared using a 31-item survey instrument developed for library directors. Data were obtained from 62 institutions with certified elementary education programs (72 percent response rate). Among the findings reported are:…

One area explored in the second (in-depth) phase of the Learning in Science Project was "children's science," defined as views of the world and the meanings for words that children have and bring with them to science lessons. The investigation reported focuses on students' (N=37) views of chemical change. Data were obtained using the…

Observational techniques were employed to gain insights into students' experiences from three perspectives (learner, teacher, and observer) as related to four aspects of a set task (nature of the task, including its purpose; how the task was carried out; perceived significance of outcomes achieved; and significance of outcomes in terms of science…

The Science Activities Action Research Group considered problems related to using science activities in teaching/learning of science ideas, problems previously identified and described during exploratory/in-depth phases of the Learning in Science Project. Three specific tasks were formulated by the group, including: investigating wording of…