This paper reports results of a large-scale, descriptive study of correlates of attitudes toward the mathematical, natural, and social sciences. Objectives of this study were to: (1) examine the levels and direction of attitudes toward the sciences as a function of grade level; (2) probe into possible causal determinants of these attitudes; and…

Water related activities for sixth-grade students are presented as one possible way to incorporate environmental education into the existing curriculum of Hawaii schools. Designed as an interdisciplinary approach, the activities integrate numerous thematic and subject areas to teach that fresh water is a limited but vital natural resource. Topics…

The Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) has been designed to describe change as it affects individuals and to prompt more successful change efforts. CBAM views the teacher as the focal point in school improvement efforts, yet also acknowledges social and organizational influences. This paper describes the application of the model to a curriculum…

This 32-page pamphlet contains color photographs and detailed diagrams which illustrate general descriptive comments about living conditions aboard the space shuttle. Described are details of the launch, the cabin, the condition of weightlessness, food, sleep, exercise, atmosphere, personal hygiene, medicine, going EVA (extra-vehicular activity),…

One of a series of papers describing a collaborative educational change effort involving the Jefferson County, Colorado Public Schools, and the Texas Research and Development Center, this paper describes the design and implementation of a concerns-based staff development plan for the purpose of supporting the implementation of a revised science…

A system for the analysis of elementary school science teacher's guides and other program materials is described. The system, which can be used with either textbook-based or activity-based programs, produces a detailed step-by-step account of "What the classroom would be like if the teacher followed the recommendations in the teacher's guide…

Results of a study attempting to verify the extent to which social background variables affect science achievement at multiple levels of analysis are reported. Patterns of home- and SES-influenced variables potentially explaining differences in individual achievement were examined in Hungary, New Zealand, and Australia to duplicate a previous…

Contained in this volume are six papers, each focused on a different area of research in science education, in which the authors attempt to identify the implications of research findings for classroom practices. The areas discussed are grading and evaluation practices, interaction of science and mathematics at the elementary level, field…

The effects of the Follow Through Program as determined by meta-analysis techniques were reviewed and summarized. The general conclusion that more direct instructional models had greater positive effects on measures of basic skills in mathematics and reading than less direct, developmental models was supported. However, the validity of the Follow…

Discussed are the effects that cognitive level of teachers' questions and questioning strategies may have on student achievement. Thirty-two preservice elementary teachers were stratified by the grade they were teaching, either primary (grades 1-3) or intermediate (4-5), and randomly assigned to treatments. Treatment levels consisted of…

Reported is a study to determine the validity of competencies which are the basis of professional teacher certification. The paper also assesses the importance of generic competencies in science learning at the elementary level. The study itself offers several recommendations regarding teacher training and research in classrooms using instruments…

These activity cards, developed by the Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) Project, are divided into 18 groups. The first group of cards are Design Lab Tech Cards; the remaining groups are "How To" Cards. They include: (1) How To Construct a Sampling Histogram; (2) How To Make a Bar Graph Tally; (3) How To Make…

FREE AND INEXPENSIVE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSERVATION EDUCATION WERE EVALUATED. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT WERE TO DETERMINE (1) THE KINDS OF FREE AND INEXPENSIVE CONSERVATION MATERIALS WHICH MAY BE NEEDED, (2) THE KINDS THAT ARE BEING PRODUCED, (3) THE QUANTITY PRODUCED, AND (4) THE AGGREGATE EXPENDITURES FOR PRODUCTION. EFFORTS WERE MADE TO…

DESCRIBED ARE CURRICULUM MATERIALS PREPARED BY 22 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCIENCE COURSE IMPROVEMENT STUDY GROUPS. AN INTRODUCTORY SECTION DEALING WITH THE NEW CURRICULUMS DISCUSSES THE FOLLOWING TOPICS--(1) CHANGES IN THE ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, (2) COURSE CONTENT AND ORGANIZATION, (3) CURRICULUM MATERIALS…

This USMES unit challenges students to find the best way to learn or teach someone else certain things. The teacher resource book for this unit contains five sections. The first section describes the USMES approach to student-initiated investigations of real problems, including a discussion of the nature of the USMES "challenges" and of classroom…