The 2011 "Vision & Change" report outlined several recommendations for transforming undergraduate biology education, sparking multiple pedagogical reform efforts. Among these was the Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) network, an NSF-funded program that provided mentorship and training to instructors on implementing…

The article introduces a design-and-effects-framework comprising five key features of effective professional development: (1) extended Duration, (2) Content Focus of input, (3) Coherence of input with practice, (4) Collegial Participation, and (5) Active Learning. The framework's general feasibility is investigated in a proof-of-concept study.…

Although cognitive and social processes influencing students' scientific thinking skills have been extensively studied in recent years, the interplay between these processes remains insufficiently understood. This study examines the mediating role of research collaboration in the relationship between epistemic curiosity and critical thinking, as…

Teacher professional development (PD) is essential to continuously improve teaching skills, to adapt to diverse student needs, and to promote equity and inclusion. Only a few studies to date have synthesized how PD programs improve teachers' content knowledge and instructional quality, as well as students' academic performance. In this…

The enhancement of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) can be achieved through the implementation of active learning models. The current study aimed to examine the efficacy of the Pj4CS (Integrated Project-Based and 4C-Scaffolding) learning model on pre-service biology teachers' HOTS. This study employed a quasi-experimental design. The…

Assessing scientific inquiry competence (SIC) is essential for fostering students' inquiry skills, and the effectiveness of such assessments largely depends on teachers' assessment knowledge. Grounded in a four-dimensional framework of science teacher assessment knowledge, this study developed and validated a scenario-based diagnostic instrument…

We examined an outdoor, experiential learning approach within a science methods course for nontraditional adult learners who are often career changers or individuals transitioning into teaching later in life. Through immersive, nature-based experiences, the course connected adult learners to science via direct engagement with the natural world. We…

Enhancing the effectiveness of short-duration teacher workshops is critical for improving science teaching and learning, particularly in the developing world. While project-based learning is known to enhance knowledge usability, its feasibility and optimal design within short-duration teacher workshops in the developing world is unclear. This…

The acceptance of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology for teaching and learning during the pandemic lockdown suggests that a significant portion of educational interactions will shift online shortly. However, the suitability of this technology for inquiry-based learning requires further investigation. This study aimed to assess the…

It is crucial for students with learning disabilities (SLDs) to possess psychological resilience in order to pursue their careers as entrepreneurial individuals. One of the areas where entrepreneurship skills are taught in middle school is in science courses. This shows the importance of teaching psychological resilience in science courses. On the…

This study aimed to investigate early childhood teacher candidates' perceptions of teaching Science and Technology in Society (STS) through a project-based interdisciplinary model. The model comprised activities like STS field trips, roleplay contests, documentary movie projects, classroom tasks, and group discussions, to foster an understanding…

Although most teachers recognize the importance of taking investigative, open-ended approaches to students' learning experiences, implementing them in high school classes can be challenging for teachers. In this work, we analyzed data from multiple sources from a teaching Community of Practice (CoP) to investigate (a) barriers to taking an…

The Next Generation Science Standards call for engineering design solutions using computer technologies, but many K-12 classrooms either do not have accessible technologies or the teacher pedagogical knowledge on how to effectively implement engineering design into the curriculum. Without access to computer or mobile technologies, teachers are…

In this article we report on the initial professional discourse on teaching natural science (NS) in the Foundation Phase among a sample of novice teachers in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The sample comprised 7 novice teachers (NTs) with 3 or fewer years of teaching experience. We investigated the NTs preparedness to teach NS,…

This study explored the pedagogical strategies employed by grade 12, life-sciences teachers in township schools to teach complex concepts, such as genetics and meiosis, using improvised teaching resources. Resource constraints in South African township schools often limit learners' access to traditional teaching materials and technologies. In…