Described is the BSCS Center for Education in Human and Medical Genetics, established to design, develop, and evaluate an instructional module in human genetics for high school students. This module will be a self-contained curricular program and will provide individualized open-ended experiences which present basic genetics content in the context…

Discusses the ELEMENTARY SCIENCE program for grades K-6, describing concepts that the program emphasizes and materials used for each grade level. (CS)

Described is the elementary science curriculum "Children and Their Natural Environment" developed by the working group for Educational Research at the University of Gottingen. Objectives are listed as attempting to integrate a particular teaching concept with the scientific way of looking at problems and an attempt to understand teaching…

Reports on a survey which was undertaken to provide an overview of the biology content of a selection of General Certificate of Secondary Education science syllabuses. Lists syllabuses examined and the four themes in terms of which they were analyzed. Concludes that each contained a substantial biology component. (RT)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsors a range of programs to fund innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Focuses on NSF's expectations for project evaluation beginning with a definition of evaluation and a discussion of why evaluation is needed. Also describes planning, formative, and summative evaluation stages and concludes…

At the beginning of each year, teachers have the daunting task of deciding which concepts and skills to teach their students. Many teachers feel the pressure to teach "the whole book". This pressure comes in multiple forms. There is ever-increasing pressure to perform well on state, national, and international exams. An added pressure is the…

This article discusses how a regular walk in the wind or the rain can help develop science knowledge and skills. The author describes one "welly-walk" and links it to National Curriculum for England requirements so that readers can see how easy it is. (Contains 1 figure and 1 box.)

Teaching laboratory science in a high school setting has never been easy. Time is available in short blocks; laboratory facilities are often quite limited. In most American high schools, teachers are responsible not only for preparation of their lesson plans, but also for ordering and preparing any materials to be used in a lab, with little or no…

Details the Fairfax County, Virginia elementary science program, a key feature of which is the use of self-contained kits and instructional materials. Shows how the curriculum has improved students' achievement tests scores and is beginning to be adapted for mathematics, computer, and music education. (SK)

Suggests criteria for constructing a "basic" physics program based on such premises as limited class time, time and practice needed for skill development/understanding structuring of subject matter, and choices of content and approach. Long-range objectives related to the list of premises are discussed. (SK)

Described is the Independent Learning Project for Advanced Chemistry (ILPAC) as it is utilized in Hydeburn, a tribe school in London. The teacher describes how she uses the program with her upper and lower A-level chemistry groups. As a result of this program, pupils seem more articulate in educational discussions. (Author/DS)

Describes a study which evaluates the effectiveness of the Thai biology curriculum developed by the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST). Investigates were classroom activities, student affective behavior, and teachers' attitudes toward the curriculum involving 40 teachers and 1,400 students. (Author/DS)

Discusses the collaboration of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) with faculty from eight community colleges to develop an innovative curriculum for use in a one-semester general education course in biology that would reflect the recommendations of the current reform movement in science education. Discusses important issues in helping…

Describes efforts aimed at reforming physics courses for first-year engineering and science students at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. Discusses the establishment and working of the Physics Learning Center (PLC) and its impact on the retention and performance of students. (JRH)

"Real" science is about formulating and trying to solve practical and conceptual problems on the basis of shared beliefs about the world. Scientists build theories and test hypotheses by observation and experiment. They try their best to eliminate personal bias, and are "extremely canny in their acceptance of the claims of others" (Ziman, 2000).…