This study considers the concept of observer--the fundamental concept axial for fundamental physical theories. The history of the observer concept in physics is reviewed and summarized. In the following, the observer concept is considered with regard to science education where scientific concepts should reflect their status in science. This…

The BSCS 5E Instructional Model, an elaboration of the well-known and accepted three-part learning cycle, is a five-part approach to incorporating inquiry-based, active learning in the classroom. Developed in 1987 by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, "the 5Es" is a popular K-20 instructional practice, and as such, the Biological…

Curriculum reform worldwide has often reflected changing perspectives on the teaching and learning of science. Such perspectives underline the notion that not only the teaching of science content knowledge is relevant but also the aims and methods scientists use to further their knowledge and the social context in which science is applied. We call…

It has become increasingly important for microbiology educators to help students learn critical concepts of the discipline. This is particularly true in virology, where current challenges include increasing rates of vaccine hesitancy, misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, and controversy surrounding research on pathogens with pandemic…

Undergraduate research is an important experience that increases retention, ownership, and learning. Integrating research experiences into the classroom is the focus of course-based undergraduate research education (CUREs) and has become an important tool in curricula of many universities. This article will serve as a guide for those interested in…

Despite the widely recognized effectiveness of place-based education (PBE) by researchers in the science education community, there is a lack of resources and curriculum appropriate for the environment of urban schools. Unequal access to quality science curriculum materials is an ongoing issue facing urban schools in the United States. This basic…

This forum piece extends the conversation within Katie Milton Brkich, Alejandro J. Gallard Martínez, Wesley Pitts, and Silvia Lizette Ramos de Roble's article 'The Rejection of the NGSS in Georgia: Social Covenants as Contextually Mitigating Factors,' by looking at potential implications for diverse learners and novice teachers. I draw on the…

This paper aimed to examine the changes in the representations of nature of science (NOS) in Chinese senior high school chemistry textbooks under the influence of the new curriculum ideas. The study was conducted based on an analytical framework in which the aspects of NOS, the approaches to address NOS, and the content relation of NOS aspects…

Developing the next generation of anatomy educators is an expansive challenge that involves developing pathways for established scientists into the profession, and increasing the number of graduate level trainees who are both interested in anatomy education and qualified for educational work. In this article, we present long-term outcomes from a…

When educational leaders supervise the implementation of standards-based curricula, they should understand the forces acting on classroom teachers during that implementation process. This study investigated the lived experience of 20 elementary teachers who developed, piloted, and implemented an elementary science curriculum (ESC). Using DiMaggio…

Rural schools often have strong community involvement and thus can offer educational experiences to students that are more closely aligned with local people and places. However, curricula in rural schools rarely offer this same alignment. Partnerships with others, including higher education, can support rural schools in creating STEM curricula…

The purpose of this teacher-practitioner research study was to examine how elementary teacher candidates engaged in sensemaking about the learning process within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and to further examine how they engaged in sensemaking about NGSS teaching and curriculum development. Interviews and course artifacts from 14…

This paper focuses on the context underpinning the implementation of ethno science at the K-12 school science curriculum in the context of Nepal. Since human evolution, Indigenous people have both gained scientific knowledge and practiced scientific skills. This paper refers to this knowledge as Ethno Science/ Indigenous Wisdom. However, hegemonic…

It is generally accepted that if a course or curricular transformation is to be implemented with fidelity, the users must understand how and why the transformation is different from their current practices and which aspects of the transformation are essential to achieving comparable student learning outcomes. In this article, we provide a detailed…

This qualitative action research study sought to explore and enhance the academic self-efficacy of Black and Hispanic students in urban high schools. The study aimed to uncover the factors contributing to low academic self-efficacy among Black and Hispanic STEM students and develop an actionable plan to address these issues. In Cycle 1, high…