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…

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 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…

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)

Advocates the use of minicourses in teaching secondary school science. Topics are suggested and methods for structuring minicourses are discussed. (JR)

ALMOST NO EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE AVAILABLE SUBSTANTIATES THE CLAIM THAT THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY OF TEACHING SCIENCE IS BY BASING THE PRESENTATION UPON THE STRUCTURE OF A SCIENCE. RESEARCH IN THIS AREA HAS BEEN CLOUDED BY THE FAILURE TO CLEARLY SPECIFY THE ORDERED SEQUENCE OF MATERIALS AND INADEQUATE TESTS TO DETERMINE--(1) IF THE DESIRED ORDER…

This publication developed by the New York State Education Department with the cooperation of the University of the State of New York, is a curriculum guide for elementary science (grade 4-6). This guide is organized around 6 large subject areas: (1) Living things; (2) Our growing bodies; (3) Air, water and weather; (4) The earth and its…

Announces a "user friendly" chemistry course for grades 10 to 12 for college bound students designed to enhance public understanding of chemistry. Discusses the development, field testing, and structure of the course. Stresses the importance of training teachers in the skills required to teach "Chemistry in the Community." (CW)

This investigation of the teaching of science in secondary schools is based upon the analysis of 58 courses in general science, 45 courses in biology, 27 courses in physics, and 30 courses in chemistry. The courses were obtained from schools in response to a request from the Office of Education for courses which had been revised since 1925. Some…