The authors describe a model for embedding science communication into the science curriculum without displacing science content. They describe the rationale, development, design, and implementation of two courses taught by science faculty addressing these criteria. They also outline the evaluation plan for these courses, which emphasize broad…

The science curriculum to age 16 should be judged on how well it meets the needs of students who progress to A-level science courses and those (a larger number) who do not. To address the diversity of students' interests and aspirations, we need a clear view of the purposes of science education rooted in a view of the purposes of education itself.…

This paper reflects upon the development of a multidisciplinary lesson plan aimed at developing science skills for Physics and Astronomy, Geographical and Earth Sciences, and Chemistry students at a research intensive Scottish university. The lesson plan was co-developed with a small group of staff and undergraduate students from these…

The Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences at Notre Dame University--Louaize, conscious to the need of experts in the emerging field of sustainability and to the role that an educational institution plays for the service of the community, introduced into the university curricula a major in environmental science. This paper will present the…

We present the most recent steps undertaken to reform the introductory algebra-based course at The George Washington University. The reform sought to help students improve their problem-solving performance. Our pedagogy relies on didactic constructs such as the" GW-ACCESS problem-solving protocol," "instructional sequences" and…

This article considers the extent to which the English National Curriculum for science has influenced practice and learning outcomes, and briefly reviews the mechanisms through which this influence is exerted. It identifies and discusses three central issues for the review that is now in progress: the structure of the science curriculum; the…

This article describes the content of a high school forensic science course. Discusses the definition of forensic science; how the course was started; the course strategy; invited speakers' and the use of mock crime scenes. Provides a sample outline of seven forensic science units. (LZ)

This article discusses a systematic approach to designing significant learning experiences, often referred to as the "backward design process," which has been popularized by Wiggins and McTighe (1998) and is included as a central feature of L. Dee Fink's model for integrated course design (Fink, 2003). The process is referred to as backward…

A statement relating to science offerings in adult education in Britain is presented by the Science in Further Education Sub-committee of the Association for Science Education. (JR)

This document outlines the content standards for science in the state of Colorado. The document is organized into six standards, each of which is subdivided into a set of guiding questions exemplifying the standard and a series of lists defining what is expected of students at each grade level within the standard. The standards are that students…

Discusses the place of organic chemistry in the secondary school curriculum, and advocates a mechanistic approach to organic chemistry developed in such a way as to be integrated with general chemistry. (JR)

Future science curricula should recognize the interaction of science, technology, and society and should give students the skills for learning and applying scientific knowledge, an awareness of ethics and values in science, and a future perspective. The organization of science courses should vary with the type of learning desired. (Author/RW)

A model for a field course in any of the earth sciences for secondary students is presented. Aspects of planning, logistics, curriculum, accreditation, and evaluation are addressed. (MR)

Presented is the second of a two-part article describing the introductory undergraduate physics course taught at the University of Liverpool, England. This part of the article concentrates upon the laboratory aspect of the course. (SL)

Contained in this newsletter are several articles pertaining to activities of the Engineering Concepts Curriculum Project at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, New York. Two are of major concern. One deals with the development of a laboratory science course for senior high school students to improve technological literacy and entitled…