Students who engage in undergraduate research experiences acquire many benefits, including an understanding of how scientific knowledge is constructed, recognition that knowledge can be complex and uncertain, and the habit of viewing knowledge critically. This paper describes a first-year two-course sequence that provides multidisciplinary…

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.…

In 2000, the New South Wales Board of Studies introduced new syllabi for Junior Science (years 7-10) and Senior Science subjects (years 11 and 12), i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth and Environmental Science (Geology). The structure of these courses is similar: it is based on a contextual perspective and is underpinned by a number of…

The major program components of the Chemistry 30 curriculum are outlined in this document. These key elements include: (1) process skills; (2) psychomotor skills; (3) attitudes; and (4) concepts (subject matter). Each of the components has been assigned an emphasis rating (expressed in a percentage) and a priority rating (designated by a ranking…

The major program components of the Physics 30 curriculum are outlined in this document. These key elements include: (1) process skills; (2) psychomotor skills; (3) attitudes; and (4) concepts (subject matter). Each of the components has been assigned an emphasis rating (expressed in a percentage) and a priority rating (designated by a ranking of…

Presents three aspects of multi-professional shared learning. Discusses the levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that comprise a learner's "readiness" for Inter-Professional Learning and describes the design and implementation of a multi-professional shared-learning course. Identifies the educational principles underlying shared…

The origins, development, and implementation of a course in oral presentation skills in English for graduate students in the sciences and engineering are described. The course was piloted at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan to train students for presentation of technical papers. Background information is offered on English language…