This section of the journal includes several short notes related to the teaching of science in secondary schools in Great Britain. Notes are included on ways of presenting science, rural science, designing experiments in chemistry, science for students with special needs, knowledge of the metric and imperial systems, and the use of spreadsheets.…

Describes the use of popular science fiction films in high school and college science courses. Holds that young persons' fascination with science fiction can serve as a takeoff point for serious discussion of principles of physics and biology, in particular. (GC)

Discusses features of the "Basic Science" course in Japan; reasons why few students selected basic science; the development of Science I and Science II (results of the curriculum revision); and the relationship between Basic Science, Science I, and Science II. Science I and II objectives are provided in the appendices. (JN)

Offers a rationale for science education that utilizes a science-technology-society (STS) framework. The recommended STS framework can give meaning to efforts to define a K-12 science curriculum, to describe appropriate teaching behaviors and desirable student actions, and to formulate meaningful research questions. (JN)

Presents three separate but related discussions on the rationale for including electronics into school physics programs. Pressures for curriculum change, strategies for teaching electronics, objectives of electronics, and other areas are addressed. (JN)

The Secondary Science Curriculum Review (SSCR), established in 1981, is charged with aiding the implementation of a policy, in which all students aged 11-16 would study science until the completion of their period of compulsory schooling. The organization and current activities of the SSCR are discussed. (JN)

Presented are goals and a topical outline for a one-semester chemistry course for students in the health professions. The outline is intended to be a model rather than an "official" course in the field. Several points are offered, particularly for faculty new to teaching such a chemistry course. (JN)

Describes a college level minicourse utilizing photography and the camera to present basic physical optics. Included is an outline of topics and a listing of course objectives. (SL)

The 21st century's information economy is creating more jobs that require not only a college education but also at least some expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, collectively known as STEM. Across the country, schools and communities are finding that the hours after school are particularly conducive to…

Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary science in which scientists look for solutions to human needs in nature. It endeavors to discover answers from the molecular, or material level, all the way up to the interrelationships, or systems level. The purpose of this review of the literature is to demonstrate the need and potential application of this new…

This kit was developed by the Illinois Department of Conservation's Education Program with assistance from the State Board of Education, as a teaching tool which can be used to promote conservation awareness of young people. It is designed to enable educators to help students in grades 7-10 learn about Illinois' renewable natural resources through…

With great emphasis on global learning and the greater influx of diverse international students into the community colleges, science instructors need more than ever before to make their classrooms culturally aware. This microbiology course includes a brief introduction to the role of bacteria and micro-organisms in industry, agriculture, and…

This teacher's guide is one in a series of Interdisciplinary Approaches to Chemistry (IAC). The purpose of this guide is to provide information and resources for helping to familiarize students with chemistry and its everyday applications around the world using inquiry and investigations. Contents include: (1) "Chemistry: A Human Activity"; (2)…

This document, from "The Teacher's Desk Reference to Standards and Performance Indicators for Curriculum Planning and Unit Development," is part of the Delaware Department of Education's ongoing efforts to provide assistance and support to local school districts in their development of a standards-based curriculum. It explains the…

During the fall of 1998 to summer of 1999, the Survey Research Center at the University of Maryland (SRC) conducted a nationwide mail survey of K-12 school teachers. The primary objective of this study was to gather information on how education about the environment is conducted in the classroom. An additional goal was to estimate what proportion…