Advocates the use of science lessons as a basis for teaching young students to read. Offers the Language-Experience Approach (LEA) as a means of teaching beginning and remedial reading and of expanding science concepts and vocabulary. Describes an LEA unit on astronomy and reviews the benefits of this approach. (ML)

Reports results of a survey on textbook adoption procedures, examining if and how often a procedure is used, whether select local districts from a list, and whether the list covers grade K-12. Also reports results of state science supervisors' (N=26) attitudes about textbook adoption procedures. (JM)

Presents an activity for students (ages 5-6 and 7-14) to identify external characteristics of marine life and plants through printing (using homemade stamp pads). Includes procedures and list of materials, and printing ideas. (JN)

Discusses several research studies that relate directly to elementary school science inservice education projects. Studies reviewed focus on metric achievement; year-long projects; one-day projects; minicourses; curriculum changes; and periodic maintenance. Also cites criticisms of existing programs and qualities an effective inservice program…

Describes a course taught at Auburn University (AL) for middle school students. Includes rationale for the course, instructional strategies used, comments on skill building, and descriptions of individual activity stations. Possible spin-offs from such a class which can improve science teaching in the public school classroom are also considered.…

Results of 11 studies of classroom practices used with activity-based elementary science programs were combined quantitatively using a composite category system. One finding reported is that teachers trained in program use spent less time talking and more on activities than untrained teachers using the programs. (Author/JM)

Past, present, and future trends in chemical education are discussed. Among the areas considered are the earliest traditions in chemistry, lessons learned from past experiences, research in chemical education, fostering excellence in precollege science education, and instructional innovation in chemistry. (JN)

Describes a science program for honors students that offers a blend of both teacher-directed and student-directed activities. Includes information on instructional strategies used, independent student study projects, financial considerations, grading, and student reaction to the program. (JN)

Two persuasive communications were constructed and validated. Validity was tested by verifying the presence of supportive and counterarguments. The one-sided communication was shown to contain only supportive arguments, while the two-sided communication contained both supportive and counterarguments. Implications for instruction are addressed. (JN)

Affective item findings from two national assessments (N=2500 for 1977 assessment; N=2000 for 1983 assessment) are reported and compared. Areas examined include attitudes toward teaching procedures, action of science teachers, current science teacher, and science class. Lists of characteristics of exemplary programs and behaviors of exemplary…

Discusses displays/facilities to bring nature into schools. These include: hallway cases, cages, and aquaria (backed by bulletin boards to reinforce reading/spelling skills) holding carnivorous plants, reptiles, saltwater/freshwater fish and mammals. An outdoor learning center, farm (including 200 ducks, sheep, and cows) and weather station are…

Determined whether differences existed between the microcomputer implementation proneness of inservice teachers who were participating in workshops and exhibiting enthusiasm, and inservice teacher counterparts who were not engaged in professional development activities and were not concerned about microcomputer use. Also investigated the influence…

Presents results of survey on the current status of energy education conducted for the Department of Energy at the end of the 1981-82 school year. Information about how energy is taught, and what factors (including time, texts, and other materials) promoting or preventing adoption of energy education materials was gathered. (JM)

Examined grades 6-12 students' (N=2000) preferences and choices regarding science subjects and relationships of these preferences to school type, age, and sex. Findings indicate that zoology and human anatomy/physiology were most preferred while ecology was least preferred. These and other findings are related to a previous study conducted in…

Described is the Talcott Mountain Science Center for Student Involvement, Inc., near Hartford, Connecticut, and the programs in natural science offered at the facility and by center personnel in local schools. (SL)