A study of English students' concepts of pollution (n=122) indicates students understand pollution in two distinct ways: pollution that goes into the atmosphere and pollution that damages or destroys. Concludes that to the students' minds it seems that both these definitions can only be valid if associated with human-made activities. (Author/MCO)

The redesign of basic science curriculum at the Columbia University (New York) dental school is outlined. Goals included development of a medical continuum allowing students to apply basic science to patient care; decompression of crowded second-year content; and facilitation of student pursuit of research and other biomedical interests in third…

Compares current science education reform efforts with those of the 1960s to enhance student learning. Discusses how an "alternative models" view of scientific explanation can contribute to reforms of course goals, social aspects of science learning, instructional practices, and roles for technology. Contains 50 references. (ZWH)

The lack of a vision of sustainability in contemporary science education is discussed. Policies for curriculum and instruction that will enhance sustainable growth that are based on the ideas of fulfilling basic human needs, improving the environment, conserving resources, and developing a sense of community are presented. (KR)

Describes assignments in abstract writing as well-suited way to integrate writing into curriculum of large introductory geology courses. When students write abstracts on either assigned outside readings or special sections in their textbooks, they develop a concise writing style and polish their writing skills and also increase their understanding…

Authors describe a "writing intensive" physical geology course utilizing both formal and informal writing assignments. The formal assignment consists of a summary paper on four geological articles. A writing tutor provides feedback on drafts of the summaries. The informal writing assignment requires students to keep a journal related to laboratory…

Author describes her first-year seminar in history of geology where students are given writing assignments asking them to summarize, describe, explain, be convincing to reader. Students review their written work through frequent revision, peer review, collaborative writing assignments. Assignments require students to examine scientific principles…

Describes advantages and details of use of journal writing in introductory geology course. Entries include minimum of three one-page entries per week and count for 25 percent of course grade. Most students start with restatement of ideas presented in class; by end of the course, they are drawing original conclusions and applying ideas in new…

Describes a method of teaching geology and scientific writing to nonscience students that combines active integration of lecture, reading, and laboratory materials with field observations into a writing assignment on a real scientific problem. The writing assignment is completed in stages: a prospectus, a detailed report outline, a bibliography, a…

Describes an assignment in a paleontology course built around constructional morphology and the role of adaptation and exaptation in evolution. Students investigate the constructional morphology of a group of fossils that interests them. Findings are presented in an oral presentation and in a term paper. (27 references) (PR)

Describes an assignment in a graduate-level course in sedimentary-basin analysis that requires students to write a research-grant proposal. The assignment forces students to develop a topic suitable for original research. Each year 25 percent of the class turns these assignments into master's thesis projects and/or submits them as student grant…

Explored how elementary school children (n=267) "think" about science vocabulary through an examination of the organizational schemes children employ with science words. A common core of vocabulary was developed from textbooks. Students grouped the words and gave the group a name. One result indicated students had appropriate conceptual…

Describes an instructional program designed to promote scientific literacy among middle grade students. The program used a collaborative group instruction approach and focused on the development of tasks that provided students with opportunities to solve problems and to employ concepts useful to scientific problem solving. (PAM)

Reports a study (n=41) of the effectiveness of in-depth, conceptually integrated instruction delivered via a videodisc program in eliminating children's alternative frameworks in science. This curriculum, which did not directly address alternative frameworks during instruction, changed 92% of the alternative frameworks held by students to…

Through a review of the literature, looks at instructional and curricular issues related to the student-as-scientist model and the critical nature of the teacher's role in expanding school science activities to include this model. (SM)