To support implementation of the "Next Generation Science Standards," we designed a high school biology unit, "Matter and Energy for Growth and Activity" (MEGA), that engages students in explaining physical and life science phenomena using evidence, models, and science ideas about matter and energy changes within systems and…

In this study, 24 experienced in-service teachers' science process skills (SPSs) development and their use of SPSs in their lesson plan through a week-long professional development (PD) supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (#117B302) were studied. SPSs are important part of scientists' work, scientific literacy,…

The research analyzes the usage of STEAM program "Cognition of Energy and Thermal Processes" for students of ninth (1st Gymnasium) classes in order to deepen and broaden the knowledge of natural science education, develop practical abilities of students and their scientific researcher's competence. Students were advised to do five…

The focus on STEM has centered on knowledge use across multiple disciplines. However, there currently exists limited understanding of the relationship between the cognitive practices utilized across these disciplines as a function of performance on standardized assessments. Focusing on science and mathematics, we investigated the direct and…

Previous research has demonstrated the potential of examining log-file data from computer-based assessments to understand student interactions with complex inquiry tasks. Rather than solely providing information about what has been achieved or the accuracy of student responses ("product data"), students' log files offer additional…

Scence educational standards are increasingly emphasising on argumentation skills. However, students' argumentation skills are often not developed well as their experience of science knowledge in schools is often in the form of uncontested facts. This research asserts that argumentation skills should be developed through explicit teaching of…

Simulations, which is a type of educational technology has started to be used widely in classes. Contradictive results show that there is no certain conclusion about the effects of them on students' domain knowledge, inquiry skills and attitudes towards science. The goal of the study is to compare the impacts of simulation-based and textbook-based…

Aim/Purpose: The objective of this study is to explore the effectiveness of using virtual experiments on students' level of achievement and on their practical skills as well as their views on applying the virtual experiments in a general physics lab. Background: There is a continuous debate in the literature on the effect of using virtual…

The solar eclipse coming August 21 offers students the opportunity not only to explore the geometry of the solar system but also to learn about exoplanets transiting distant stars. Students can glimpse a great frontier of science: the search for other worlds and life. This article presents information on exoplanets, discovering planets around…

School lockers are an essential part of secondary school life and students have been using them for decades. It is unlikely the design has changed since they were used by their grandparents. Although lockers have not changed, school definitely has. Are school lockers something that also need to be changed? A design challenge is an open-ended…

For students to achieve the goals of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) by Grade 12, thinking and acting like scientists and engineers must begin in the elementary grades. However, elementary teachers may find this challenging -because language arts and mathematics still dominate many classrooms--often at the expense of science. This…

Nature of science (NOS) is now a well-established focus of science education and a key element in defining scientific literacy. In recent years, a particular specification of NOS, often described as "the consensus view," has become very influential and has gained ready acceptance in many countries around the world as a template for…

Earth wires and fuses work together in UK mains circuits to keep users safe from electric shocks and are taught in many school contexts. The subject can be quite abstract and difficult for pupils to grasp, and a simple but visually clear and direct demonstration is described which would be easy for most physics departments to build and which can…

One way to help students understand the scientific inquiry process, and how it applies in investigative research, is to involve them in scientific investigation. An example of this would be letting them come to their own understanding of how different variables (e.g., starting products) can affect outcomes (e.g., variable quality end products)…

In Thailand, 318,500 students were enrolled in vocational courses in 2015. Under the new 20-year educational plan, the ratio of vocational to general students is projected to increase from 38:62 to 60:40, which is required to meet the goals of Thailand's new digitally enabled, knowledge based, economic model under Thailand 4.0. Additionally,…