This report sets out results for Australia arising from its participation in the Second International Science Study (SISS). The focus is on Year 12 students, including those studying science and those not currently studying science. Most of the results for the science students are presented separately for those specializing in biology, chemistry,…

This science test was intended for administration during June, 1989. It contains 75 multiple-choice questions. Ninety minutes are allowed for completing the test. No answer key is included since scoring is done by the provincial education department. The test is provided in both English and French. (YP)

This study reports the application to classroom dialogue of the Thematic and Structural Analysis (TSA) Technique which has been used previously in the analysis of text materials. The TSA Technique identifies themes (word clusters) and their structural relationship throughout sequentially organized material. Dialogues from four Year 8 science…

The purpose of this research was to describe how self-efficacy affects the development and science achievement of practicing teachers after their participation in a half day long hands-on science lesson provided by the Science on Wheels project. The 42 practicing K-8 teachers were from eight different counties located in a rural mid-eastern state.…

This report presents findings from an evaluation of the National Science Foundation's (NSF's) Urban Systemic Initiative (USI) program in 22 large urban school districts. The USI program has supported educational reform in large public school districts that have a high percentage of students living in poverty and has directed its efforts toward the…

Questions whether educational research concerned with children's abilities to learn science concepts has taken into account the effects of race, class, and gender on children's understanding. Contends that these factors are important variables to consider in cognitive research, and that their omission from this body of research has negative…

Discusses components of success for students, such as self-confidence, understanding, competence, communication, enthusiasm, significance, and persistence. Discusses components of success for teachers, such as student-centeredness, urgency, commitment, creativity, expectations, surprise, and self-direction. (YP)

Presents a Project WET water education activity. Students use a Water Log (journal or portfolio) to write or illustrate their observations, feelings, and actions related to water. The log serves as an assessment tool to monitor changes over time in knowledge of and attitudes toward the water. (LZ)

Discusses the potential role of technology in evaluating learning outcomes in large-scale, widespread science assessments. Describes current state-of-the-art techniques in this area and looks at the past and future uses of technology in large-scale science assessments. (LZ)

Discusses students' awareness of science/technology/society (STS) issues, the importance students assign to STS issues, and students' achievement in a genetics unit after infusing STS vignettes into class discussions. Recommendations are made on the use of STS vignettes by science teachers. (KR)

Proposes methods by which laboratory practical exams may be structured to assess outcomes from laboratory instruction. Presents eight general considerations for writing and using practical exams. Describes four example laboratory exams involving a box camera, circuit boxes, floating objects, and light. (MDH)

Computer-assisted genetics instructor (CAGI) is a database program to help students and teachers identify conceptual weaknesses, provide interactive drill to master problem solving, and reduce teacher tutorial time. Results of a comparison of users and nonusers indicates that CAGI users averaged between 6 and 10 points higher on hour exams than…

An inner-city Omaha high school created an untracked, wholly desegregated 2-year thematic science curriculum for all 9th and 10th graders. Under the outdoor community study theme, students participate in a simulated archaeological dig of an Omaha Indian earth lodge, study the school grounds' ecological status, and design areas along a proposed…

Argues that test score rankings provide little information about educational quality because countries differ substantially in factors such as student selectivity, curriculum emphasis, and the proportion of low-income students in the test-taking population. (DDR)

Analyzes the role informal student-faculty interaction plays in the success of science and math students in community colleges. Categorizes direct, indirect, and total causal effects of job, family, timework, gender, informal student-faculty interaction, and quality of effort. States that the findings support the theory that informal interaction…