In 1991, a study was conducted at Riverside City College (RCC), in California, to determine the development of science reasoning among students. A science reasoning test was administered at the beginning and again at the end of fall 1991 to two samples: a college-wide sample of 843 students enrolled in one of 55 courses, and a science-oriented…

This book reports on the findings of a 3-year research project, Learning in Science, carried out in New Zealand. It documents the teacher development process for a group of science teachers as they used new teaching activities to take into account students' thinking, constructivist views of learning, and alternative conceptions. The professional…

This summary outlines the National Science Education Standards, the guidelines which define the science content that all students should know and be able to do and which also provide guidelines for assessment of student understanding of the content. This document contains a definition of the National Science Education Standards, a rationale for…

Produced by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), Project Haystack presents scenarios that depict various aspects of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Students conduct hands-on and minds-on activities while exploring what it means to send and receive a message across interstellar distances. Students explore and map vast…

The purpose of this paper was to determine faculty perceptions about the role a department chair does and should play in a faculty member's movement toward tenure. A group of 485 full-time, tenured, and tenure-track faculty from 13 U.S. doctorate-granting universities participated in the study. Answers to the following questions were solicited:…

The purpose of this brief is to draw from the findings of the 1990 Reform Up Close study of high school mathematics and science in six states by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education in order to: (1) characterize standard-setting policies in high school mathematics and science, (2) document the effects of these standard-setting policies…

In 1989 Florida responded to the continuing crisis in mathematics and science education by developing a Comprehensive Plan: Improving Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education that identifies specific strategic goals and recommendations. Florida State University has been the sole evaluator of the Comprehensive Plan. Visits have been made at…

A simple model of scientific inquiry was developed using non-technical language. One group of elementary school teachers was introduced to the model during a two-week summer institute where the model was used in conjunction with activity-based approaches to teaching. Participants applied the model in planning and facilitating activities for…

This paper describes a collaborative project among graduate students, university faculty, administrators, and science teachers in an urban public school district. The project has been funded by Eisenhower (Title II) monies, the Omaha Public Schools, The University of Nebraska, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The goals for this project…

This book explains why so few efforts at reforming science education are successful, and why it is that the 300 studies on the subject published over the past decade have done little more than add to a growing body of literature. The book describes programs which are successful in terms of faculty accomplishments, students graduated and entering…

This digest addresses principles of planning science programs for high ability learners. It notes various evaluation reports that have reviewed needs in science learning and teaching, identified essential science concepts and processes, and evaluated teacher enhancement programs and curricula. Research on gifted learners in science is briefly…

Preschool children need direct involvement with science content hands-on experiences that involve them in gathering, organizing, analyzing, and evaluating. This paper describes how to create a science area in a preschool classroom. The paper delineates the equipment needed to maintain a mentally stimulating environment for young children. It also…

Many involved in science education reform agree that one ingredient of future science education programs should be effective partnerships. Partnerships often will embrace people and organizations who traditionally have not been involved in science education. This book offers "how to" guidelines for forming effective science education…

This course of study is aligned with the California State Science Framework and provides students the chemistry content needed to become scientifically literate and prepared for post-secondary science education. The course of study is divided into four sections. The first section provides an overview of the course and includes a course…

The review of science education research for 1982 includes analyses of 455 studies reported in dissertation abstracts, journal articles, research papers, and papers presented at conferences. The organization of the review is topical. Topic areas include: (1) student characteristics and behavior (cognitive development, conceptual understanding,…