Presented in this course guide are seven units of study focusing on: (1) animal identification; (2) environmental testing; (3) ecological concepts; (4) wildlife abuse, depletion, and extinction; (5) water pollution; (6) air pollution; and (7) nuclear energy and the environment. Each unit includes a general objective, followed by specific…

This document contains separate reviews of recent developments in science and mathematics education research. These literature reviews note those issues that were carefully examined and identify others which had not received attention. Although the reviews concentrated on Australian research, relevant studies in other countries such as the United…

Prepared as part of a series applying recent research in oral and written communication instruction to classroom practice, this booklet describes five situations where writing and speaking experiences are used as a way to learn subject matter. The first section of the booklet describes the learning that takes place in the home, where writing and…

Designed for science students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, the activities in this unit illustrate principles and problems related to biomass as a form of energy. (The word biomass is used to describe all solid material of animal or vegetable origin from which energy may be extracted.) Twelve student activities using art, economics,…

This investigation of formaldehyde exposure in school laboratories, where its principal source is from preserved biological specimens, was undertaken because of concern over exposure levels reported in the literature. Information was obtained in two ways. A limited survey of schools was conducted to determine extent of students' use of preserved…

The objective of this study was to compare data on preservice and inservice elementary teachers' attitudes toward science and science instruction. Four attitudes were assessed: (1) science as a male domain; (2) science usefulness; (3) confidence in teaching; and (4) effectance motivation (liking of science). These measures were selected since they…

An experiment was conducted that compared the teaching effectiveness of a computer assisted instructional module and a lecture-discussion. The module, Predator Functional Response (PFR), was developed as part of the SUMIT (Single-concept User-adaptable Microcomputer-based Instructional Technique) project. A class of 30 students was randomly…

This paper examines, from the perspective of the teacher, the relatively unimportant place of science in the elementary school curriculum. Two case studies of science education (of eight commissioned by the Science Council of Canada) provided data about science instruction in the K-6 elementary setting. Data were collected by observations made…

Various individuals have expressed the opinion that South African school children are insufficiently trained in environmental education. This study is an attempt to assess the situation in secondary schools under the control of the Transvaal Education Department. Special attention is paid to the teaching of biology and geography as vehicles for…

One area explored in the second (in-depth) phase of the Learning in Science Project was "children's science," defined as views of the world and the meanings for words that children have and bring with them to science lessons. The investigation reported focuses on students' (N=39) ideas on the concept of "animal." Data were…

This article describes the rationale for and development of a computer-based instrument that helps identify commonly held science misconceptions. The instrument, known as the Science Beliefs Test, is a 47-item instrument that targets topics in chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, and astronomy. The use of an online data collection system…

We are teacher educators (in elementary science and mathematics) who are enthusiastic about technology as a teaching tool--though it is as new to us as it is to our university colleagues. We recently led a United States Department of Education Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) grant project entitled TechLinks. In an effort to…

Intended mainly for use in the intermediate grades, this document provides demonstrations, field trips and laboratory experiences designed to help students investigate the role that people play in problems associated with environmental quality, pollution, and ecology in general. The book was developed as an alternative program to the regular sixth…

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Fairfax County, Virginia) offers a comprehensive college preparatory program emphasizing the sciences, mathematics, and technology. The school serves students selected on the basis of aptitude and interest in the biological, physical, mathematical, and computer sciences, and who intend…

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Fairfax County, Virginia) offers a comprehensive college preparatory program emphasizing the sciences, mathematics, and technology. The school serves students selected on the basis of aptitude and interest in the biological, physical, mathematical, and computer sciences, and who intend…