Discusses the controversy involving the effectiveness of elementary science curricula projects of the sixties and seventies. Reports on a synthesis of the research, student performance, implications, and improvements for the future. States that these innovative programs were more effective in raising student performance and attitudes than…

This study took place within the context of a four-year local systemic reform effort collaboratively undertaken by the Science Education Center at the University of Iowa and the Iowa City Community School District. The goal of the project was to move teachers towards an interactive-constructivist model of teaching and learning that assumes a…

Summarizes findings of seven studies dealing with how teacher behavior affects student performance in activity-centered science classrooms at the elementary and junior high school levels. Concludes that activity-centered classrooms encourage student creativity in problem solving, student independence, and help low ability students overcome initial…

This paper describes a major reform effort of an elementary science curriculum called the Science: Parents, Activities, and Literature (Science PALs) Project. The goal of the project was to move teachers towards an interactive-constructivist model of teaching and learning that assumes a middle-of-the-road interpretation of constructivism where…