Showing evidence of planing multicultural education in curricula is required by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for accreditation of professional education programs. This paper presents discussions on this issue over the last three decades, points out the increasingly diverse student population in the United…

Sharply rising enrollments in undergraduate biology, spurred by the growing importance of the life sciences in society, have led university faculty members across the country to experiment with new ways of teaching students. This report documents change in the nation's classrooms; specifically, it focuses on a sample of institutions that are…

This digest summarizes the results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) as they relate to the interests of K-12 science teachers. TIMSS student achievement results for science are presented along with a brief discussion of how to interpret the scores. The findings of the TIMSS curriculum study and their implications are…

Describes an interdisciplinary, ornithology unit suitable for grades 4-6. Art, mathematics, language arts, and social studies activities require approximately 2 weeks to complete. An annotated list of six references is included. (JN)

National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) members (N=101) responded to a 1979 survey, listing 398 statements of needed research. Three categories of needed research emerged as the greatest concern of these NARST members: instructional strategy, learning, and student/teacher attitudes. (Author/JN)

Reviews various factors of articulation within and between middle and secondary schools and suggests three approaches to solve articulation problems: (1) early and frequent evaluation; (2) establishing a positive social climate; and (3) extending science content using, for example, an interdisciplinary approach. (SK)

Describes an interdisciplinary minicourse on dinosaur fossils, morphology, ethology, and energetics. Suggests and provides examples of hands-on activities for junior high school- through college-level students. (DS)

This study, conducted by the staff of Minnesota Research and Evaluation Project (MREP), reports the results of several needs assessment procedures used with teachers and principals from a random sample of 224 schools from 13 western and midwestern states. (HM)

Nevada schools developed a high school science curricula based on technology and student-centered learning which guides students in researching and designing multimedia projects. Despite a lack of technology and computer experience, student creativity and interest increased, and performance and work habits improved. New techniques for measuring…

Compared are the levels of attainment for the Science in the National Curriculum assessment in Great Britain in 1989 and the performance of students on the application of science concepts part of the Assessment of Performance Unit-Science carried out in 1980-84. (KR)

The purpose of this study is to elaborate the issue of exemplary teaching in chemistry in the context of a centralized educational system, in which chemistry curriculum development and implementation are also centrally controlled. Students' perceptions of the learning environment were also investigated. (KR)

Describes several environmental education activities. Introduces educational materials and two environmental education programs. Provides demographic and geographic data of the region. (YP)

Describes the Science for Early Adolescence Teachers (Science FEAT) program, a three-year teacher enhancement program for middle-grade teachers of science based at the Florida State University. Discusses the courses for the teacher-participants as well as the activities for administrators. (JRH)

Describes a unit for teaching exponential change in a noncalculus physics course by having students write recursive procedures in LOGO to graphically represent linear and exponential change. Summarizes the experience of implementing the unit in a segment on radioactive decay. Modifications to the unit are suggested for teaching exponential change…

Discusses how to reform science education in light of individual and societal needs for science literacy. Science education standards, curriculum changes, hands-on and computer-based projects, telecommunications for teacher training, and technology for student assessment are described. A sidebar article presents a model science teacher development…