Explores the way in which scientific literacy has been defined, justified, and operationalized in current proposals for science education reform. Current visions of scientific literacy are being implemented in narrow and conventional ways. Further limitations in science education reform are discussed and alternative science reform theories are…

English language learners (ELLs) often find themselves marginalized with respect to learning mathematics in U.S. schools due, in part, to language barriers and gaps in prerequisite math knowledge and skills. The goal of this study was to use Sen's (1980, 1992, 1999) capabilities approach model as a lens through which to analyze the relationship…

This paper addresses the dilemmas encountered by two secondary science education instructors designing a course for preservice elementary teachers. Taking into consideration past experiences of teaching education and science courses in general and with preservice elementary teachers in particular and recommendations from state and national…

This study examined the effects of manipulating the modality (text-only, voice-only, voice+text) of a tutorial and restriction (restricted vs. unrestricted) of a simulation's interface on retention and transfer of tutorial content. The tutorial prepared novice students to use Packet Tracer, a simulation developed by Cisco that teaches network…

The Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program promotes exemplary improvement in advanced technological education at the national and regional level through support of curriculum development and program improvement at the undergraduate and secondary school levels, especially for technicians being educated for the high performance workplace of…

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness, with respect to science process skill development, of the elementary science curriculum designed by the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS). The assessment was made by statistically comparing the scores on "The Science Process Instrument" of two groups of students. The…

As Drew University in New Jersey illustrates, such old standbys as chemistry and physics are making a comeback in the small colleges. (Editor)

Illustrates the modifications needed to use Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives'' in providing cognitive level profiles of curriculum materials by reference to an elementary science project. Modifications take account of alternate teaching strategies and student background. (AL)

Summarizes the result of a subjective evaluation of the Nuffield Primary Science Project, including teacher reaction and the progress of the students in later years of schooling. (AL)

The Fairfax County, Virginia, school system makes its own science kits in a program covering 63,000 elementary school youngsters in 2,100 classrooms. (Editor)

This study is concerned with different forms of assessment of pupils' skills in experimentation. The findings of three studies are reported. Study 1 investigates whether it is possible to develop reliable multiple-choice tests for the skills of forming hypotheses, designing experiments and analysing experimental data. Study 2 compares scores from…

Since the publication of the Standards for Technological Literacy in 2000 (ITEA), there have been a number of new programs developed that are designed to teach pre-engineering. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is one such program. Project Lead the Way boasts serving over 1250 schools in 44 states and teaching over 160,000 students. Another program is…

In this paper, we present data related to how a Portuguese teacher developed the module "A big problem for Magellan: Food preservation." Students were asked to plan an investigation in order to identify which were the best food preservation methods in the XV and XVI centuries of Portuguese overseas navigation, and then establish a…

The PARSEL project was initiated to disseminate teaching modules, based on a philosophical model, which was in line with a need to promote scientific literacy, in a manner considered to be both popular and relevant for students. The project was based on the belief that this approach would allow students to better realize that science was for all,…