This seven-chapter document is designed for individuals who train preservice and inservice teachers and for individuals who train the teacher trainers. Chapter 1 (an introduction by Wynne Harlen) summarizes subsequent chapters. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 provide some general theoretical discussion about workshops. They are, respectively: "Learning…

This workbook provides descriptions of research projects for high school and middle school science teachers and students. The projects can be used as demonstrations in the laboratory or classroom to help teachers illustrate the practical application of basic science principles. They can also be used by students, under the guidance of the teachers,…

Designed as an analytic, exploratory inquiry into the manner in which preservice elementary school teachers make sense of their early science teaching performances, this study focused on how teachers exhibited a capacity for understanding pedagogy. Specifically, it concentrated on the reflective process as it occurred in the context of clinical…

Designed for use by science teachers, this document provides selected lists of computer software collected by the Science and Mathematics Software (SAMS) lab at Florida State University. The commercially available software is compiled under the subject areas of biology, chemistry, and physics. Each list provides: (1) recommended grade level; (2)…

This document suggests that the activity described can be used from kindergarten through adulthood. The activity involves measuring, counting, categorizing, group processes, construction of computer data base files, construction and/or use of data tables, data gathering, making observations, the study of shape, the computation of area, the…

Research has shown that middle school students in the Great Lakes region do not have a great deal of knowledge about the lakes. This has important implications when it comes to resources such as the Great Lakes. The story of "Paddle-to-the-Sea" offers an opportunity to learn about the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem in a meaningful and…

Environmental education should lead children, as future citizens, to acquire a more objective view of the way human societies function. It should also encourage an individual to take an active part in the community and to arouse the desire to take a responsible attitude regarding natural resource management. This experimental teaching module…

Biological diversity, also commonly called genetic diversity, refers to the variety of organisms on Earth. Scientists are concerned that many species will become extinct because of extensive development in the tropical regions. This packet is designed to increase student's awareness about direct and indirect causes of extinction, endangered…

In the period 1983 to 1986, the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) undertook a study of science achievement in 24 countries at three levels in each school system: the 10-year-old level, typically grade 4 or 5; the 14-year-old level, typically grade 8 or 9; and the final year of secondary school, typically…

This paper presents a viewpoint on educator responsibilities toward helping youth develop the skills necessary to cope with life as well as consideration on how to present science in a safe environment. Discussions include safety in the learning environment, litigation, effective teaching, effective schools, the goals of science, and the mandate…

The Invent America program addresses the need to provide K-8 students with opportunities to learn critical and creative thinking skills through the process of inventing. Students apply problem-solving skills as they turn their own creative ideas into inventions. It is an effort to integrate the curriculum, help students synthesize knowledge, and…

The Invent America program addresses the need to provide K-8 students with opportunities to learn critical and creative thinking skills through the process of inventing. Students apply problem-solving skills as they turn their own creative ideas into inventions. It is an effort to integrate the curriculum, help students synthesize knowledge, and…

The Invent America program addresses the need to provide K-8 students with opportunities to learn critical and creative thinking skills through the process of inventing. Students apply problem-solving skills as they turn their own creative ideas into inventions. It is an effort to integrate the curriculum, help students synthesize knowledge, and…

In the teaching of a science concept, it is important for the teacher to arouse the student's curiosity. Once curiosity is aroused, the students will learn much more on their own than the teacher can ever teach them. The use of discrepant events in the teaching of science is one of the best methods to arouse this curiosity. This book is a…

This book is a collection of articles which focus on various aspects of middle and junior high school science. The first section gives a philosophical background to teaching in the middle or junior high school, addressing questions about the special demands of teaching at this level. The second section provides background information on the…