Describes a small-scale study of a course that placed emphasis on context- and activity-based science. The Salters' science course makes use of a wide range of learning strategies. Author concludes that pupils' interest and enthusiasm for school science may be increased through a combination of using pupil's everyday interests and employing a wide…

In this essay, the many facets of curricular reform are explored in terms of what scholarship from these many perspectives has to offer. Examples of research results are cited and promising research opportunities explored. (Author/PR)

Describes a school district's refocusing of lesson plans in the natural sciences to teach students about the structure and function of the earth--a focus all but abandoned in many school programs. Details of the curriculum; the resources used; leadership initiatives; and obstacles to implementation are discussed. (PR)

Discussed is the status of textbooks in science instruction. Described are ways in which teachers can use the textbook more effectively. A multilevel approach to science textbooks is described. A list of easy-reading science textbooks for earth, general, and physical science is included. (KR)

Described is an undergraduate biology course which uses exercises for teaching critical thinking. A line-of-reasoning model is presented. Evidence for the effectiveness of this approach is presented. (CW)

The relationship between process and content in children's science learning is discussed. The idea that both aspects are important in learning, especially during practical investigations, and that both should be emphasized are presented. (KR)

For the primary eye care practitioner in the 1990s and beyond, the basic biomedical sciences have supplanted physiological optics as the primary academic discipline underlying the practice of optometry. Several curriculum development options are available to incorporate the needed material, but a core curriculum is essential at all institutions.…

Discusses findings regarding the academic backgrounds of students taking algebra-based physics. Four areas were examined: (1) performance in math courses; (2) high school physics background; (3) community or junior college experience; and (4) science education majors. Suggestions for improving the academic performance for students in these areas…

The ideological basis from which dissection activities spring is discussed. Speciesism, the widely held belief that the human species is entitled to certain rights and privileges, is examined as the cause for dissection activities occurring in biology classrooms. (KR)

Describes a term paper assignment where students are allowed to pick a topic that interests them based upon the course focus and course format. Authors have found that, if students are interested in a topic and it is relevant to them, some of the onerousness that students associate with writing can be significantly reduced. (PR)

Describes the rationale and activities developed and tested by the Biology Critical Thinking project (BCT). Presents the project guidelines for developing activities, a list of skills selected as goals of BCT, instruments used in determining effectiveness of the activities, results of the pilot study, and a sample activity involving vitamins. (MDH)

Provides a summary of atmospheric science resources available to help science teachers develop up-to-date units on weather. Resources include activities of professional organizations involving radio, television, printed materials, inservice workshops, and telecommunications resources. (MDH)

Special science and mathematics programs available to students at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel are described. The Summer Science Institute, mentor programs, screening procedures, science clubs, an outdoor interactive science museum, science fairs, mathematics olympia, a "mathematics by mail" program, and the International…

The implementation and results of the use of videotapes in introductory biochemical engineering classes are discussed. The topics of the videotapes and the results of a questionnaire about this instructional method are presented. (CW)

Many students are deterred from science because of the way science courses are packaged. To find out what makes science hard for intelligent students, the author employed nonscience faculty and graduate students as surrogate students in science. Their responses to the sequence of the units, demonstrations, homework assignments, examinations, and…