Investigated gender patterns with respect to entry rate, project topic, and project type in a state-level science competition. Reports that for the past 20 years the participation rate has been greater for girls than for boys. Boys are more likely than girls to prepare physical, earth, math/computer, and experimental research-based projects. (45…

Reports on a study of 110 students in advanced undergraduate psychology courses to assess their retrospective impressions about their introductory psychology course, current course selections and performance, and future academic plans. Finds that students who had participated in a science fair gave significantly higher ratings. (CFR)

The number of students in the science classroom who are learning English as a Second Language is increasing each day. This paper describes preliminary results of a California-based Teacher Enhancement project intended to increase elementary school teachers' science knowledge and ability to teach science to minority students and to promote the…

Describes a program that involved classroom instruction in advanced mathematics, a visit to the Mathematical Sciences section of Oak Ridge Laboratory, talks by faculty members on their interests, work with mentors on student research activities, and various recreational activities. Includes a list of projects and students participating. (RT)

Describes the National Sea Grant Program and eight types of education programs. Examines funding patterns from 1976 through 1987. Assesses current status of education within the Program using a director's survey. Discusses some implications for science educators. Provides the conceptual scheme for aquatic studies and a directory of the programs.…

The aim of the Learning in Science Project is to: (1) investigate science teaching/learning at the Form 1 to 4 level (ages 10 to 14); (2) identify some of the key difficulties in this subject area; and (3) find ways of overcoming such difficulties. The project is seen both as an evaluative and a research project in that it is concerned with…

The first working paper of the Learning in Science Project, "An Initial Framework," outlined what was then seen as the major aims of the project and suggested how these aims might be achieved by three phases of research: exploratory (to observe teaching/learning in Form 1 to 4 science classrooms and to identify difficulties perceived by…

The Prime Minister's Committee on Natural Science in Education in Great Britain reported in 1918 that "...in many schools more time is spent in laboratory work than the results obtained can justify." Seventy years later this conclusion can often still be drawn. This is particularly a problem in open distance education where laboratory practicals,…

Educational robotics activities are gaining in popularity. Though some research data suggest that educational robotics can be an effective approach in teaching mathematics, science, and engineering, research is needed to generate the best practices and strategies for designing these learning environments. Existing robotics activities typically do…

Integrated quantitatively the collective research dealing with the effects of the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) on student performance and attitude. The weighted mean effect size was 0.09, indicating that the performance of ISCS students was 0.09 standard deviations about the performance of students in traditional science courses.…

Investigated the main concerns of teachers teaching the Israel High School Biology Project (IHBP). This program, implemented about 15 years ago, is an adaptation of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Project Yellow Version. Areas examined include how teachers perceive the program and what changes they would make. (JN)

In 1981 a meta-analysis of research in science education was completed by a team of researchers under the direction of Ronald Anderson at the University of Colorado. Individual teams synthesized the extant research using meta-analysis procedures. One of the syntheses showed that the post-Sputnik or "new" science programs on the whole…

Developed and validated anecdotal and data-summary persuasive communications and tested their effect on preservice teachers' attitudes toward supplementing traditional, textbook-based science programs with either Science-A Process Approach or the Science Curriculum Improvement Study. Results show that anecdotal nature communications were more…

Describes changes and effects of the Israeli paper-and-pencil matriculation examination in biology since first analysis in 1972. The examination has been significant for implementing an inquiry-oriented high school biology program based on the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. Implications for upgrading science education are discussed.…

Student outcomes were assessed by quantitatively combining results of 57 reported evaluations of three major curriculum programs in elementary school science. Thirty-two percent of the comparisons were statistically significant, favoring activity-based programs; six percent favored control groups. (DH)