Reports a naturalistic study to develop and validate a "Science and Reading Questionnaire" to assess secondary science teachers' attitudes toward science reading and their belief or informed opinions about science reading. The items for this instrument are presented. (PR)

Reports a study that examined the generalizability of selective-attention and academic-studying hypotheses to a modified science chart medium. The adjunct questions used in this study were designed to selectively focus students' attention on specific columns in a modified science chart, with the goal of improving student achievement on a test…

Examines inconsistencies in science textbook discussions of vector quantities and force. Provides illustrations of textbook inconsistencies related to Newton's laws of motion and the concepts of centrifugal and coriolis force. (MDH)

Two professors at the California Institute of Technology have developed an elementary school science curriculum, implemented in the Pasadena schools, that builds on children's natural curiosity about the world. The model Science for Early Educational Development (SEED) program is both a school curriculum and a teacher training program. (MSE)

To shift educational research's focus from the rigorous study of individuals to whole learning environments, a systemic view of the classroom is proposed, with a list of seven generic components of the classroom environment. L. Guttman's Small Space Analysis is used, and a science teaching project illustrates the discussion. (SLD)

Examines the problem of determining the minimum center of mass for a can with a varying height of liquid in it. Uses PC SOLVE computer software to graphically represent the problem situation. (MDH)

Article discusses the Science-Technology-Society approach and describes a study (n=116) of differences in learning outcomes for Taiwanese students who study college biology in an issue-oriented format with students who study in a concept-oriented format. Students in the issue-oriented format class had statistically higher scores for concept…

Describes the use of expert systems in elementary school classes that focused on developing thinking skills and independent learning. Expert systems as tools, tutors, and tutees are discussed; differences in learning styles are considered; problem-solving skills are addressed; and uses of expert systems in science and social studies are described.…

Investigates the use of temperature and light to change the usual intervals for plant germinating, sprouting, and flowering. Provides simple experimental procedures and discussions regarding photoperiodism, forced branching before spring, and various types of seed dormancy, including physical dormancy, physiological dormancy, and double dormancy.…

Discusses four topics presented in the science foundation course of the Open University that exemplify current developments in particle physics, in particular, and that describe important issues about the nature of science, in general. Topics include the omega minus particle, the diversity of quarks, the heavy lepton, and the discovery of the W…

Presents experiments to measure the velocity of sound through metals and other amorphous materials. Describes the equipment used to make the measurements and the possibility of interfacing with a microcomputer. (MDH)

A study used computer analysis to examine distribution of basic science content in the 53 cases in the problem-based medical curriculum of Rush Medical College (Illinois) and compared it to application of that content by students and faculty. The method of analysis is recommended for reviewing curricula for omissions and redundancy. (Author/MSE)

Fourteen elementary and middle school teachers from an inservice physics course were found to share a common core of strongly held propositions that formed a coherent, but incorrect and contradictory, model of the sequential flow of electrical current. Theoretical and practical implications of these teachers' beliefs with respect to both…

Reports on 18 months of action research that examined the effectiveness of using the history of science to promote British students' understanding of the nature of science. Both quantitative and interview data offer substantial evidence of a strategic movement away from serendipitous empiricism and toward an appreciation of the interactive nature…

Reports effectiveness of modeling as teaching strategy on learning science process skills. Teachers of urban sixth through ninth grade students were taught modeling techniques; two sets of teachers served as controls. Results indicate students taught by teachers employing modeling instruction exhibited significantly higher competence in process…