In this study, preservice elementary teachers were networked via the Internet, using electronic mail, newsgroups, listservs, World Wide Web access, and electronic mentoring during their science methods class and student practicum. Electronic networking was introduced as a means to provide a social context in which to learn collaboratively, share…

NASA will launch Space Station Freedom piece by piece in the cargo bay of space shuttles. The process is scheduled to start in 1995 and be completed in 1999. This pamphlet presents factual information and accompanying hands-on science activities concerning the following aspects of the project: (1) the space shuttle's role in transport; (2) the…

Science and technology are often presented and taught as two separate essences. When this is done, students as well as teachers are forced to attempt to develop the appropriate linkages. This book is one of a series designed to help teachers develop their science and technological education in ways that are both satisfying to themselves and…

This book is a collection of 66 "How Things Work" columns from the journal "The Physics Teacher," 1983-1991. All the devices and phenomena are ones that are met in everyday life, involve physics principles, and require explanations that are not immediately obvious. Topics include: touch panels in elevators, liquid crystal…

The goals of this practicum in science instruction for first grade students were to increase science instructional time, develop skills-appropriate instructional strategies, formulate relevant assessment methods, and promote positive attitudes. Grade level teachers met on six occasions to pinpoint science instructional deficiencies, formulate…

This research project was designed to evaluate the synergistic effects of linking workshops for science teachers with electronic conferencing. The rationale for this study was that these two methods of professional development and communication would have an impact beyond that which either would have alone. Included are the abstract, a description…

Designed for science students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, the activities in this unit illustrate principles and problems related to biomass as a form of energy. (The word biomass is used to describe all solid material of animal or vegetable origin from which energy may be extracted.) Twelve student activities using art, economics,…

This unit, one of a series designed to develop and foster an understanding of the marine environment, presents marine science activities for fourth grade students. The unit, focusing on the various types of careers and occupations connected directly and indirectly with marine science, is divided into sections dealing with: commerce and intertidal…

The objective of this study was to compare data on preservice and inservice elementary teachers' attitudes toward science and science instruction. Four attitudes were assessed: (1) science as a male domain; (2) science usefulness; (3) confidence in teaching; and (4) effectance motivation (liking of science). These measures were selected since they…

This paper examines, from the perspective of the teacher, the relatively unimportant place of science in the elementary school curriculum. Two case studies of science education (of eight commissioned by the Science Council of Canada) provided data about science instruction in the K-6 elementary setting. Data were collected by observations made…

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=39) ideas on the concept of "animal." Data were…

Teacher efficacy has been one of the few variables consistently related to positive teaching behavior and student outcomes. Teacher efficacy can also be related with teacher's classroom management approaches (Henson, 2001). The purpose of this study was to assess differences between Turkish elementary and secondary preservice teachers' science…

Intended mainly for use in the intermediate grades, this document provides demonstrations, field trips and laboratory experiences designed to help students investigate the role that people play in problems associated with environmental quality, pollution, and ecology in general. The book was developed as an alternative program to the regular sixth…

This elementary school teaching unit was developed as a part of a series of teaching units that deal with Lake Erie. This unit was developed to enable children to: (1) identify the Great Lakes and pick out Lake Erie on a map; (2) demonstrate knowledge of Lake Erie's origin and geography; (3) list some uses of Lake Erie; and (4) give examples of…

Most educators feel that it is important to provide novice teachers with in-service training at the beginning of their teaching careers, and to continue with such programs throughout their professional lives. With this in mind, this document outlines a proposed in-service teacher education program for Japan. The paper considers the creation of…