The purpose of this study was to investigate aspects of the Nature of Science (NOS) concepts and teaching practices acquired by inservice teachers who participated in a teacher education program at the National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan. Two instructors used both case-history and demonstration approaches to help science teachers…

This study was conceived when it was observed that in the laboratory, with few exceptions, college freshmen chemistry students did not know how to make accurate measurements. Once the students were made aware of this, they easily learned how. From this experience and in the interest of breaking the cycle, it was decided to assess the ability of…

This book consists of two complete units on meteorology. The first unit is created for lower elementary students and the second one is for upper elementary grade levels. The units are designed for gifted students and encourage students to be responsible for their own education. Each unit is based on an interdisciplinary approach. Suggestions for…

This study reports enrollments in general science, biology, chemistry, and physics in public high schools, the additional science offerings, the number of teachers serving these pupils, class size, grade placement of science subjects, time allotments for recitation and laboratory, and troublesome problems related to the teaching of science. The…

Highlights a quantitative synthesis of research studies on Elementary Science Study, Science Curriculum Improvement Study, and Science A Process Approach, focusing on student performance/achievement, attitudes, process skills, and basic skills. Suggests that activities and instructional strategies from the programs be incorporated into existing…

Discusses various ways science can be taught using microcomputers, including simulations/games which allow large-scale or historic experiments to be replicated on a manageable scale in a brief time. Examples of several computer programs are also presented, including "Experiments in Human Physiology,""Health Awareness…

Teachers are encouraged to examine more critically the assumptions on which science curricula are based so they will be less likely to accept naive approaches to discovery learning. Examples from the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) and Nuffield Physics are used to show how they use discovery learning. (IS)

Discusses methodologies used to observe children at work in science classrooms and to handle data collected from such observations. Audience, observational mechanisms, and research strategies are considered in separate sections. Methodologies as applied to the Learning in Science Project are also considered. (JN)

Determined reliability/usefulness of a simple anxiety measure administered to 2,068 grade eight and nine students. Also found relationships between anxiety and such classroom characteristics as participation, teacher support, and competition. Suggests use of the measure in guiding teachers to change classrooms to reduce student anxiety. (JN)

Describes four components of a packet of materials designed for small-group discussions on alphafetoprotein (AFP) screening for neural tube defects. Components consist of instructional guidelines for group leader, informational packet on AFP, list of specific discussion questions, and student evaluation form. Copies of these materials are…

A three-part questionnaire was used to assess degree of emphasis given to values education in college biology. In addition to demographic data, the questionnaire, mailed to 377 biologists (185 forms returned), included items focusing on the significance of ethical issues and when life-science related values are best introduced to students. (JN)

Describes a procedure used to optimize instrument performance as taught in a fourth-year undergraduate instrumental analysis course. Gives rules for fixed and variable size simplex and discusses calculations. Also explains use of computer simulation of instruments as a tool in teaching the simplex technique. (JM)

Results from Biology Cognitive Preference Inventory taken by grade 12 Jewish (N=406) and Arab (N=297) biology majors revealed similarities between cognitive preferences, achievement, and background variables. Reports that, in spite of substantial cultural and home differences, both groups became oriented toward principles/questioning rather than…

Argues that fostering early science interest could act as a stimulus for lasting interest, affecting numbers of students opting for secondary school science courses. Identifies problems in testing this argument by research, highlighting two areas: control of inter-school variables and need for a measure of quality of primary science itself. (JN)

Discusses the role of history, philosophy, and social implications of scientific ideas and advances related to the physics curriculum, considering who should teach what, to whom, and when. Suggests that physics teachers should have a deep and abiding interest in the history, philosophy, and social implications of science and technology. (Author/JN)