The role of competencies is discussed with respect to science teaching. In particular, competence models from Germany, Switzerland and Austria are presented and compared. A special topical program, "Competencies in Mathematics and Science Teaching", was started in Austria three years ago. Initial experiences with this program are…

The 21st century will be defined by challenges such as understanding and preparing for climate change and ensuring the availability of resources such as water and energy, which are issues deeply rooted in Earth science. Understanding Earth science concepts is critical for humanity to successfully respond to these challenges and thrive in the…

This special issue of "Advances in Engineering Education" explores recent developments in P-12 Engineering Education. It includes papers devoted to research and practice, and reports some of the most exciting work in the field today. In our Call of Papers, we solicited two types of papers: Research papers and Practice papers. The former…

In a learning community, students learn to cooperate and make teams work. Past technologies (print, photography, film, and computers) have enabled idea sharing, but are one-way communication modes. Broader learning communities have been made possible through electronic field trips, online mentoring, science investigations, and humanities…

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…

Presented is the executive evaluation report of the Project City Science (PCS). The PCS, a program conducted by New York University and funded by NSF, sets as its major goal the improvement of junior high school science instruction in the inner-city environment. This report consists of five sections: (1) overview of the project; (2) operation of…

Presented is the final evaluation report of the Project City Science (PCS). The PCS, a program conducted by New York University and funded by NSF, sets as its major goal the improvement of junior high school science instruction in the inner-city environment. This report consists of eight sections. The first section, which presents an overview of…

Presented are appendices to the final evaluation report of the Project City Science (PCS). The PCS, a program conducted by New York University and funded by NSF, sets as its major goal the improvement of junior high school science instruction in the inner-city environment. The following are some of the 20 appendices presented: (1) first and second…

Changes in science education are examined and speculations made on what these changes imply for the future. Among the topics included are science subject matter, the learner and learning, curriculum development, science as inquiry, the laboratory, Piaget and science education, evaluation and teacher education. (PB)

The author surveys the era of science innovation initiated by a bonanza of National Science Foundation funding from 1956 to 1976. He looks at the methods and materials that were developed and considers the extent to which this unprecedented national effort met, or is still pursuing, its goals. (Editor/SJL)

Presents an evaluation of a new edition of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study--American Science and Engineering's SCIS II--with a chart comparing it to Rand McNally's SCIIS and the original SCIS program. Also evaluated are three secondary series or kits, including "Holt Life Science/Earth Science/Physical Science." (SJL)

This package includes compaction plans, enrichment opportunities designed to be substituted for the basic science curriculum already mastered, and extensive bibliographies of materials and books for gifted students in the Orono (Minnesota) school district. The project focused on training seven science teachers for cluster teaching of students…

Discusses the need to determine the extent to which NSF-supported curriculum materials have been implemented. Reviews the Concerns Based Adoption Model and describes how science educators might use this model to understand and manage curriculum implementation processes. (DS)

Designed for middle and junior high school students, the Human Sciences Program (HSP) represents a three year, interdisciplinary program which focuses on the role of the natural sciences in promoting the cognitive, psycho-social, and moral development of early adolescents. The materials consist of modules of activities designed around major themes…