Outlines a long-term, interdisciplinary, inquiry-based project for elementary education preservice teachers. Focuses on the ecosystems of a farm before its impending development. (Contains 17 references.) (DDR)

Describes a web-based, inquiry-oriented activity that enables students to examine long-term global climate change. Supports instruction in other topics such as population growth. (Contains 34 references.) (DDR)

Explains the place of science process skills in a quality science program. Introduces activities for the basic and integrated science skills that will lead to an understanding of basic elements of scientific literacy. Presents definitions, sample activities, and assessment techniques for classifying, measuring, and using space and time…

Introduces the All The News critique project in which students use the Internet to critique the information they view and develop an understanding of why some information may not be credible, scientifically valid, or methodologically sound. Includes a sample project with learning outcomes, assessment criteria, and related science standards. (KHR)

Suggests the use of Internet-based inquiry lessons to explore water quality. Acknowledges that inquiry occurs along a continuum ranging from open to structured. Uses river water quality data from the website, Water on the Web. (DDR)

Investigates the relative effectiveness of general modes of instruction and specific instructional activities using a nonexperimental methodology and a group of 16 teachers and 275 students, grades 1, 3-6, and 8. Finds that only one combination of activities was associated with large gains (especially in the lower grades) and this combination…

Examines the processes of science focusing on the higher-order skills and the role that relevance may play in their acquisition. Argues that an open inquiry style of instruction appears best suited to stimulating the learning of process skills because it allows students to pursue problems of genuine relevance. Contains 26 references. (JRH)

Explains how controlling student access to data can be used as a strategy enabling students to take the role of a research geologist. Students develop models based on limited data and conduct field tests by comparing their predictions with the additional data. (DDR)

Describes a sixth-grade language arts classroom's experience with the "Write for Your Life" project, which led to a partnership between University of Texas faculty and Austin classroom teachers. Students construct life narratives, generate questions from these narratives, and conduct investigations to learn about their experiences.…

Explores student-scientist partnerships (SSPs) that help students gain a unique understanding of both the content and the process of science. Discusses the potential of SSPs, the range of SSP activities, a strategy for national impact, the educational importance of SSPs, the research importance of SSPs, and technology as a facilitator. (JRH)

Describes a scientific investigation of sexual dimorphism with regard to chela size in crayfish in which students utilize the skills, tools, and techniques associated with the formulation and testing of scientific hypotheses. Indicates that students find the investigation effective in aiding their understanding of fundamental aspects of scientific…

Introduces the project Technology Enhanced Elementary and Middle School Science (TEEMSS) which implements technology into numeracy, literacy, and scientific working. Uses a hands-on science approach. (YDS)

Criticizes methodological tendencies of economics and sociological researchers who do not ask "how large is large?" Reliance on statistical significance and existence theorems shows the limits of formalistic rather than humanistic research approaches. Argues that serious scholars develop whole arguments and understand the rhetoric of…

Explains why movements toward more progressive, inquiry-based teaching practices generally have failed. Examines resistance to change arising from school climate, greater demands of progressive teaching, nature of teacher preparation and teaching practices, deficiencies in teacher knowledge of subject matter, and controversy over purposes of…

Criticizes schooling for showing student progress toward developing questioning skills. Suggests that a student-centered classroom can give students the freedom to ask substantive questions and empower them to control their own learning. Describes how student questions can be utilized in the classroom. Urges teachers to avoid imposing knowledge on…