We describe the development, design, implementation, and preliminary classroom results of an innovative curriculum, "Focus on Energy," that supports learning about energy in Grades 4-5. The curriculum is grounded in the concepts of science as practice, model-based reasoning, and learning progressions, and builds on students' pre-existing…

Programs that bring teachers and scientists together have continued to achieve attention as important potential contributions to science education. Often, however, those programs place teachers in the position of learner or apprentice to the scientists. This study examines a teacher-scientist partnership program (two project sites, two teachers…

Project-based science curricula can improve students' usable or meaningful understanding of the science content underlying a project. However, such curricula designed around "performances" wherein students design or make something do not always do this. We researched ways to design performance project-based science curricula (pPBSc) to better…

Explains changes in programs, policies, and procedures in the Science Education Directorate. Considers administration, effects of reorganization of institutional support and curriculum development programs (including changes in peer/staff review procedures), and new administration's conception of its mission, relationship to groups making demands…

Discusses some of the problems faced by technical advisors implementing projects for the improvement of science education in Africa and reasons for these problems. Problem areas considered include underdevelopment, underestimating the process, finances, personality conflict and motivation, and opposition from key groups. (A list of major UNESCO…

Discusses the development of a list entitled Desired Characteristics of the Science Program for the Middle School'' and based on findings from physiological, psychological, and cognitive research of the in-between-ager.'' Included are two reports on school visitations and an abridged section of Transescence and the Middle School.'' (CC)

Indicates the necessity of curriculum frameworks that enable all students to achieve their maximum potential literacy; to create their own knowledge; and to develop in directions unique to their needs, interests, abilities, and perspectives--that is, to become self-actualized. (Contains 65 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes factors to be considered before and during implementation of new curricula. Includes question lists and suggested strategies specifically for implementing new "teacher-proof" curricula. (SL)

Describes the development and validation of the Curriculum Adaptation Scheme (CAS) to aid curriculum developers in their curriculum adaptation endeavors. Provides a copy of the instrument. (DS)

Presents an in-house strategy for evaluating developed curricula. The strategy is demonstrated via the evaluation of the Individualized Science curriculum. (SL)

Presents developments in the teaching of earth science in Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Colombia. (GS)

This study examines programs for improving science teaching in the schools of Argentina, Brazil, Lebanon, the Philippines, and Turkey. Appearing in two parts, the first contains five case histories--descriptive and uninterpreted accounts of the events as they have unfolded over time in the programs. The second part of the study compares, analyzes,…

Examines the trends of science education in the People's Republic of China (PRC) over the past 30 years, described the present climate of the discipline, and comments on the future path it will take. The content of science courses of public schools in PRC is also presented. (HM)