The target of difficulty of the Educational Technology Center (ETC) Heat and Temperature Group is basic thermal physics, particularly the differentiation between heat and temperature. High school teachers often find that thermal concepts are very difficult for their students to master and attribute students' difficulties at least in part to the…

This investigation focuses upon the question of: (1) how naive subjects organize and represent knowledge when solving problems; (2) how previous experience of a novice is used in solving a problem; (3) what kinds of information and knowledge are sought as well as overlooked by novices when solving problems; (4) what kinds of strategies novices…

Information is presented about the grade 12 diploma examinations for Mathematics 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, and Physics 30 that were administered in 1986. Topics explained include: (1) general format of the examinations (stating the content, emphasis, and time allotments); (2) examination schedules (listing the calendar dates and times for the…

During the period 1984-1986, over 30 teachers from the Yorkshire (England) region have worked in collaboration with the Children's Learning in Science Project (CLIS) developing and testing teaching schemes in the areas of energy, particle theory, and plant nutrition. The project is based upon the constructivist approach to teaching. This guide…

These teacher and student materials for the first section of a two-phase secondary/postsecondary level course for aviation machinists make up one of a number of military-developed curriculum packages selected for adaptation to vocational instruction and curriculum development in a civilian setting. The purpose of the course is to enable students…

This study was designed to: (1) determine the extent of the availability of physics laboratories in Kenya's secondary schools; (2) assess the quality of the laboratories in terms of how well they are equipped, how much it costs to equip them, and how often materials are purchased; (3) assess the quantity of laboratory work done in terms of time…

In a German study, students' descriptions of the processes in an electric circuit were related to the energy view as it is used in physics. (The representation of students' concepts describing the electric circuit is of importance because structured concepts may influence the perception and description of processes, the handling of electrical…

Seychelles Integrated Science (SIS), a 3-year laboratory-based science program for students (ages 11-15) in upper primary grades 7, 8, and 9, was developed from an extensive evaluation and modification of previous P7-P9 materials. This P7 SIS unit focuses on: (1) the importance of air and air pressure in students' everyday lives; (2) oxidation…

Questionnaires were sent to 382 public and non-public New Jersey secondary schools to determine the status of science teaching during 1981-1982. Survey results (with 55% response) are reported for general information (staffing, certification, teaching duties, and others), supervisory personnel, subject matter organization, textbooks used, second…

Using an interdisciplinary approach, this curriculum focuses on understanding: (1) the fundamental principles of operating a nuclear power plant; (2) the place of nuclear energy in the overall energy supply/demand situation; (3) risk-benefit balance of the major energy sources; and (4) the role of political action in developing nuclear energy…

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO INVESTIGATE SPECIFIC METHODS OF DEVELOPING THE INQUIRY SKILLS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ACTIVITIES INVOLVED SELECTING SPECIFIC METHODS, GATHERING MATERIALS, AND TRAINING QUALIFIED TEACHERS. A 24-WEEK, INQUIRY TRAINING PROGRAM WAS GIVEN TO FIFTH- AND SIXTH-GRADE CHILDREN WHICH INCORPORATED--(1) ANALYSIS, (2)…

This is the student's text of one unit of the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) for level III students (grade 9). The chapters contain basic information about rockets, space, and principles of physics, as well as activities related to the subject and optional excursions. A section of introductory notes to the student discusses how the…

This concept module on potential and kinetic energy is one of thirteen modules that provide a flexible, laboratory-based physics instructional package designed to meet the specialized needs of students in two-year, postsecondary technical schools. Each of the thirteen concept modules discusses a single physics concept and how it is applied to each…

The course outlines presented in this report are intended to be used to teach astrophysics to nonscience majors at the junior and senior college level. An extensive set of notes are included which can be useful to an instructor as guidelines for presentation. Additional equipment and references for use in teaching astrophysics are suggested. (SA)

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an instructional model which utilized the computer to produce individually prescribed instructional guides in physics at the secondary school level. The sample consisted of three classes. Of these, two were randomly selected to serve as the treatment groups, e.g., individualized instruction and…