Argues that a multiscience perspective on science education affords richer implications for reflection and practice than does multiculturalism. Recognizes the existence of various types of science at play in all science classrooms, especially personal science, indigenous science, and Western modern science. Discusses implications for curriculum…

Included are the description, operating characteristics, uses, and future plans for the Topological Panorama Camera, which is an experimental, robotic photographic device capable of producing visual renderings of the mathematical characteristics of an equation in terms of position changes of an object or in terms of the shape of the space…

Asserts that educational assessment drives the curriculum. Thus, assessment is very important in contemplating reform in science education. Assessment should be an integral part of the instructional process, utilizing diagnostic testing, monitoring, and summative evaluations. (PR)

A survey of 100 gifted high school students found that students felt "held back" by the pace and content of their science classes, wanted to be more challenged, were frustrated with the lecture-memorization teaching method, and wanted to be treated the same as nongifted students. Implications for science program administration, instruction, and…

Explains how a simple three-step algorithm can aid college students in solving synapse transmission problems. Reports that all of the students did not completely understand the algorithm. However, many learn a simple working model of synaptic transmission and understand why an impulse will pass across a synapse quantitatively. Students also see…

Author argues that education has increasingly become dominated by economic interest that can lead not to enhancing equality but to its opposite. Important ideological shifts are occurring in what education is for and in the content and control of curriculum, with an increased emphasis on making education an economic product. Author predicts a…

Author argues that constructivism is flawed because of its inability to come to grips with the essential issues of culture, power, and discourse in the classroom. Presents an account of a sociocultural approach to teaching based on the notions that learning is situated in contexts, students have their own cultural perspectives, and classroom…

Describes a high school biology course that utilizes the science-technology-society approach. The course developed from research findings that high school students are interested in learning about themselves--mainly their bodies. Evaluation of the program revealed that it was successful in accomplishing learning objectives. (PR)

Authors discuss "the scientific method" and assert that laboratory scientists ask questions but seldom state formal hypotheses to be answered by controlled experiments. Authors suggest that experimental results should not be viewed as fact, and students should not be required to memorize the steps of the scientific method. (PR)

Provides both a rationale and framework for Earth systems education and a description of the early development of the Program for Leadership in Earth Systems Education (PLESE). Presents the seven basic understandings that form the conceptual basis for the PLESE program. (five references) (MCO)

Authors describe a biology course for nonmajors that appealed to student interests while retaining content integrity. The other philosophical foundations of the course were to increase student involvement and to conduct at least half of the laboratory aspect of the course at field-based locations. Details of transportation considerations,…

Uses Dictyostelium discoideum to aid in introducing cell differentiation to students. Students engage in a laboratory exercise that allows them to investigate the means by which embryonic cells choose developmental pathways. (ZWH)

Offers an author's understanding of investigative research and shows how it can be accomplished in a one-semester, nonmajors, first-year biology course. (ZWH)

Addresses the urgency of the need to incorporate a global perspective and account for the reality of constant and rapid change when revising the science and math curricula. (ZWH)

Discusses a study designed to obtain information about the activities of the coordinators (teachers with subject expertise) in regard to both initial teacher training and inservice education and training for science coordination. (ZWH)