Argues that NASA's 20-year research effort which will culminate with a manned flight to Mars is an opportunity to involve students in the science of that effort. Describes the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Teacher Academy Program, a program designed to reach science teachers so that they can prepare their students to…

Advocates using the first day of physics class to discuss some unique aspects of the discipline and the course. Lists examples of appropriate discussion topics. (WRM)

Describes a simple, small-scale experiment that can be applied at any stage in a chemistry course, including acid-base reactions, solubility, reaction rates, equilibrium, and problem solving. (WRM)

Describes a study that sought to identify the attributes of high-quality science teachers at the junior high school level from the point of view of recent ex-students. Students described their best science teachers as presenting interesting and well-integrated hands-on activities, using a range of strategies to make lessons fun and interesting for…

Reviews three projects that use a graphing calculator linked to a calculator-based laboratory device as a portable data-collection system for students in chemistry classes. Projects include Isolation, Purification and Quantification of Buckminsterfullerene from Woodstove Ashes; Determination of the Activation Energy Associated with the…

Presents advice to teachers on how to help elementary students make decisions about their own scientific investigations. (Author/WRM)

Reports on the methods and outcomes of a teacher development project that exposed teachers to inquiry as it is practiced in the discipline of ecology. Explores factors that are potentially effective on teachers' professional development experiences in ecological inquiry. Examines the variations of teachers, starting points, grade levels, and…

Describes an eighth-grade science class in a school primarily of Chinese immigrant students of many languages and levels of education, where what matters most are learning English; developing community; and starting from the students' experiences, questions, and troubles. Argues that real learning happens as students feel accountable for asking…

Describes the various tools used to promote reflection that have been introduced to prospective teachers. Those tools include portfolios, journals, cases, learning maps, stories retold, metaphors, and proverbs. Contains 58 references. (DDR)

Investigates the hypothesis that preservice teachers specializing in science and mathematics will score significantly higher on spatial ability tests than other preservice teachers. Also investigates gender-related differences in spatial ability. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

NASA research into plant-based regenerative systems for sustaining colonies in space provides the core content for the Classroom of the Future (COTF), a NASA sponsored project that transfers research on space exploration to high school biology classrooms. This article describes and evaluates BioBlast (Better Learning through Adventure, Simulations…

The Starbase-Atlantis case study describes a successful implementation of a hands-on science curriculum program based on a partnership between the U.S. Navy and local Title I elementary schools. The program has improved students' achievements in mathematics and science. (MMU)

States that producing better-trained science and mathematics teachers is a complex issue that requires creative approaches. Asserts that partnerships among institutions and organizations, like the Oklahoma Teacher Education Collaborative (O-TEC), are necessary to solve this problem. Describes O-TEC's vision, design and activities, current status,…

Proposes that instruction targeted at conceptual change should be designed to consider cognitive development and capitalize on what is known about social development. Examines instructional strategies (Concept Oriented Reading Instruction, Discussion Webs, collaborative writing, learning logs, and divided page journals) that promote middle school…

A two-year study investigated the experiences and outcomes of four students with disabilities in guided inquiry science instruction in upper elementary grade classrooms. Patterns across the case studies informed the identification of advanced instructional strategies that, when implemented, resulted in all students demonstrating significant…