Three assessments of the status of school science discovered that textbooks frequently determine course content, the preparation science provides for next academic level is its justification, lecture method is widely used, science is a low educational priority, and students feel it is irrelevant to later life experiences. (MBR)

Discusses a unit to teach reasoning and problem solving skills by helping students develop a systematic approach to problem identification, gather and analyze data, arrive at inferences and keep from jumping to conclusions. Describes the development of an activity investigating liquids designed to foster the needed problem-solving skills. (JM)

Examines the nature of scientific discussion and places the problem of scientific literacy within the broad context of critical analytic reading skills. (FL)

Politicians, academics, and business and community members all seem to be raising concerns that America is not as globally competitive as it once was. This is due, in part, to the fact that public schools in America are not producing high school graduates with the math, science, and technical skills to succeed in higher education or be employed in…

This study examined whether New Jersey students of elementary teachers trained in the use of standards-aligned curriculum materials and the nature of standards themselves would submit standards-meeting work after they were taught the standards-aligned activities. Two urban districts received funding to train teachers to meet the new science…

For the past two years at NTU, I have been running a fourth year Bachelor of Education course on science issues. The majority of those doing the course are working primary teachers from a variety of backgrounds. The first part of the course consists of the history and philosophy of science, whilst the second part concerns science issues. The…

The material in this book was devised in answer to a need expressed by many teachers, especially in primary (elementary) schools, for support in the teaching of astronomy. These projects and activities are aimed at fulfilling the requirements of the National Curriculum in England and Wales and the 5-14 Guidelines in Scotland. Each activity gives…

Nassau (New York) Community College's Leadership Opportunity in Science and Humanities Education grant began in January 1993 and ended June 1996. The project consisted of three components: (1) seminars that brought faculty members from different departments together to help develop and teach three multidisciplinary courses; (2) workshops which…

As part of a larger study to provide "indicators" of high school educational performance, this report presents data on remedial services provided to 15,042 college freshmen (1996-97) in Oklahoma public colleges by Oklahoma high school for the graduating class of 1995-96. The study used a student-cohort flow system to track student data…

This Spanish-language document consists of four single-sheet sets of guidelines developed by the Family Involvement Partnership for Learning to assist parents in facilitating their children's elementary school success. The front part of the sheets describes general ways parents can support their children, including modeling writing, reading aloud,…

This policy brief takes a close look at the ways in which the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)-1995 and TIMSS-1999 data have helped to inform changes in policy and practice as schools, districts, and states respond to the call for improvement in mathematics and science achievement. This policy brief is based primarily on…

Another step in the process of teacher education reform under the leadership of the Indiana Professional Standards Board (IPSB), this paper presents the draft framework for the initial licensure of professional educators in the state of Indiana. The preface discusses the composition of the committee, the process, selections, the "house"…

Contrary to what many students think, heat flows from hot to cold. Working in groups of 3-4, students investigate the properties of insulators in attempts to keep a cup of water from freezing and, once it is frozen, to keep it from melting. This activity requires a 4.5-hour time period for completion. (Author/SOE)

The Urban Systemic Initiatives (USI) program is an effort sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that targets large urban school systems with the goal of sustainable implementation of high-quality, standards-based teaching for the purpose of attaining system-wide increases in students' learning of challenging mathematics and science.…

This curriculum guide is divided into five lessons, each containing several activities that reflect the natural path of inquiry that third or fourth grade students might take in considering the water that arrives in their bathroom sinks each morning. Starting from the familiar faucet, the students are encouraged to reflect on their own habits and…