Calls for teacher education workshops to update inservice teachers in response to national/international energy situation. Lists major topics presented and/or discussed, treatment, and rationale for treatment. Discusses sources of energy curriculum/resource materials and provides results of a follow-up survey of teachers attending workshops.…

Discusses rationale for developing the Exploratorium at San Francisco's Museum of Science, Art, and Perception. Describes typical exhibits, hands-on nature of exhibits, and function of Explainers. Presents information about Exploratorium workshops (currently oriented toward upper elementary/junior high teachers), emphasizing the nature of science…

Papers presented include: (1) discussion in science lessons; (2) research on science interests of South Australian 12-year-olds (N=753); (3) chemistry and science philosophy; (4) methods/goals of teaching science to slow learners; (5) uses of industrial applications in science lessons; (6) nature of scientific observations; and (7) pros/cons of…

Using a theoretical model which examines three essential features thought to influence student attitudes (teacher, students, learning environment), the relationship between these features at three grade levels (4th--N=649, 7th--N=630, 9th--N=686) was investigated. Correlational/regression analyses, conclusions, and implications are reported.…

Highlights six papers presented at the Seventh Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (Stillwater, Oklahoma 1982). Topics addressed included college course using various instructional strategies, American Chemical Society services for secondary teachers, abstract reasoning unit for gifted elementary students, biographies of crystallographers,…

Examines changes in the broad cultural background which provide the context for thinking, and how such life-style changes may have influenced the decline of reasoning skills and styles fundamental to the sciences. Considers peasant/rural farming, new world, and postaffluent society life-styles and science education in the latter. (Author/SK)

Results from meta-analysis of studies on student attitudes toward science are discussed. Includes description of meta-analysis techniques, discussion of attitudes toward science (with a proposed definition), a theoretical framework for studying attitudes which provides a structure for synthesis studies, and recommendations, including those related…

Describes development and validation of a 24-item test which assesses student performance on a set of 12 objectives related to planning and constructing an investigation. In addition to sound psychometric properties, the test is distinctive because it includes a set of interrelated cumulative objectives which reflect autonomous problem solving.…

Reports results of the Energyport Project, which involved sixth graders of all performance levels in energy study. The project was designed to demonstrate the relationship between energy sources and their economic impact on the community and increase student awareness of the effects of different energy sources on the environment. (CS)

Describes the development of a Piagetian demonstration group test utilized to assess 9-12 year-old students' (N=161) understanding of heat and temperature. Findings include a unitary relationship between Piagetian stages of development and levels of understanding of heat concepts. (DS)

Summarizes findings of seven studies dealing with how teacher behavior affects student performance in activity-centered science classrooms at the elementary and junior high school levels. Concludes that activity-centered classrooms encourage student creativity in problem solving, student independence, and help low ability students overcome initial…

Investigates the effect of intensive instruction in cue attendance upon the ability of preservice elementary science methods students to solve paper-and-pencil reasoning tests that require a form of formal operation thought. (Author/HM)

This issue contains a summary of research in science education for the year 1977. The review is organized into four major parts. These are the overview, survey research, experimental research and conclusions. (HM)

The degree of self-expressed student interest in a variety of specific science topics was investigated, and changes in these interests across grade levels were determined. Data were collected from 13,401 students in grades 1-8 in 12 school systems in ten states. (HM)

By evaluating her use and delivery of praise, an elementary teacher discovered that its quality, not quantity, had the most impact on students. Teachers can increase the positive effects of praise by praising sparingly but carefully, directing it to students who respond well to it, and ensuring contingency, specificity, and credibility. (Author/SM)