Textbook-worksheet, traditional laboratory, and problem-solving treatments produced no significant differences in achievement by gender or treatment and no difference in perception by gender, but did produce a significant difference in perception by treatment in (n=268) students, grades 7-8. (21 references) (Author/MKR)

Describes 8 math/science integrated activities in which students will be able to assemble periodic, reflectional symmetry, 5- and 10-fold rotational, and Penrose patterns. (MKR)

Study of (n=101) eighth-grade physical science students learning principles of plane mirrors using mirrors and Miras found that males scored significantly higher than females on a chapter test but that all students benefited when both Miras and mirrors were used throughout the learning process. (18 references) (Author/MKR)

Discusses a science enrichment program, Saturday Science QUEST, and provides course descriptions, preservice teacher experiences, program maintenance, and feedback from children and parents (Author/MKR)

Describes the multifaceted challenge of future and present teachers in a multicultural classroom. Equipped with specific strategies and activities, the author suggests that teachers can become more effective science educators. Provides numerous tips for the middle level science teacher. (ZWH)

Presents instructions and schematic diagrams for an activity that allows students to discover the relationship between electricity and magnetism. Students draw conclusions and form hypotheses regarding their observations. Suggestions for further study are provided for "real world" experiences by students. (ZWH)

A college professor who desired to practice what she preached and an elementary teacher who wanted to observe a hands-on science curriculum on a day-to-day basis form a teaching partnership. They offer insights on their successes, obstacles, and methods for improving hands-on science programs. (ZWH)

Examines analogical reasoning in contexts where understanding is generated from loosely organized, incomplete prior knowledge rather than transferred from a well-structured domain of understanding. Participants, consisting of 11 secondary school science teacher candidates, were presented with a piston/cylinder device and asked to explain the…

This article describes the use of modern science fiction movies as a vehicle to teach scientific principles. The resulting artificial gravity from a spinning space station in movie "2001" is calculated from measurements taken off of the screen. A mathematical explanation is provided. (MVL)

Middle school students (n=39) with learning disabilities completed written and oral science composition tasks. Results indicated better overall oral than written performance, use of more sentences (though shorter) in written than oral presentations, and no significant differences between oral and written word count or thought units. Little…

Early experiences, extending throughout the school age years, often instill in the disabled student the idea that his or her role is one of passive observer in an active learning setting. Discusses specific in-class activities appropriate for science methods courses and science educator responsibilities. (LZ)

Examines teachers' differing uses of student-gathered data during science investigations. The results show that student language use and concept understanding differed between two different instructional approaches. Suggestions are provided for using student-gathered data in teaching elementary school science. (LZ)

Reports on program effectiveness for the Teacher Internship Program for Science (TIPS), a museum-school partnership. Survey results show that significantly more TIPS teachers involved their students in various science instruction activities, and TIPS teachers rated their students higher in interest in and understanding of science. (LZ)

Examines three anecdotal cases of the teaching of evolution theory in an exploration of the best approaches for teaching about evolution. Three instructional options are presented: (1) readings in natural history, (2) commercially prepared activities, and (3) the use of small-group (peer) discussions. (LZ)

Presents an activity to integrate mathematics, science, and technology by using a computer spreadsheet to examine relationships between data collected about popcorn. (11 references) (Author/MKR)