Three themes emerged from interviews with 149 elementary through secondary students: instructional strategies, cognitive demands, and students' ideas about how science should be taught. Elementary students enjoyed the messing around quality of their activities. Junior high school students were becoming uncomfortable with open-ended activities. In…

Discusses the scheme and findings of a study designed to identify the conceptual knowledge used by high school students to solve a significant problem related to osmosis. Useful tips are provided to teachers to aid students in developing constructs that maximize understanding. (ZWH)

Many teachers have found that, no matter how enjoyable ecological studies are, students tend to dislike the computation of the large amounts of data gathered. Included is a description of an experiment that utilized time-saving features as well as the instructional and motivational benefits of using a computer spreadsheet program to analyze and…

Emphasizes the importance of using examples from the student's environment to aid in teaching science process skills. The author uses diagrams to aid in discussing the various uses of goldenrod (Solidago sp) galls in the classroom. (ZWH)

Although the concept of diffusion is thought to be simple and easily understood by most students, research studies revealed that many misconceptions regarding diffusion exist among secondary education students as well as college freshmen. Describes a study designed to seek out the causes for these misconceptions and to find ways to eliminate them.…

Describes two successful approaches (peer teaching and role playing) to teaching students about their environment. Also included are ideas for additional classroom assignments. (ZWH)

Presents simple outdoor activities to simulate the process of erosion and to show how various factors affect the amount of erosion that can occur. (PR)

Presents information about eclipses and how to teach the concept to students. Explains what makes an eclipse annular. Presents different methods for safely viewing eclipses. (PR)

Describes the results of a project in which students adopt a three-meter-by-three-meter plot and make periodic observations of changes in the plot. Students keep a journal, involve their families in plot observations, and visit one another's plots. (DDR)

Presents recommendations for teachers and their instructors to help teachers master science courses. Comments for teachers include create a learning community, do not dread solving problems, think things through, and keep a positive attitude. Comments for instructors include think about who your students are, make your course learner-friendly, try…

Describes the "Teachers + Occidental = Partnerships in Science" (TOPS) program whose goal is to improve high school biology and chemistry students' laboratory instruction by enhancing their teachers' knowledge and classroom application of modern instruments, technology, and experiments. Includes 13 classroom-tested experiments that employ a…

Examines constructivism in online learning, suggesting that part of the cause of the gap that exists between educational theorists and science instructors about how subjects can be taught appears to be due to different beliefs about what it is possible to learn. Illustrates a scientist's approach through examples of an online course designed by…

Discusses programs and research that support the integration of literature and science. Reviews literature selections across a range of genres that complement topics included in middle school science, including science fiction and poetry. Considers resources educators can use to find additional science-related material. (JPB)

Indicates that access to the Internet increases variability in media and source authority for students who generally rely on teachers and textbooks. Explores the question of how source authority and media-enhancements impact students' interpretation of evidence as they conduct a Knowledge Integration Environment (KIE) project as part of integrated…

Explains the process of creating a curriculum based on the National Science Education Standards (NSES). Introduces an activity where students experience flowers and their environments. Focuses on Content Standard C of the NSES. (YDS)