It is widely accepted that inquiry-based curriculum programs have positive effects on cognitive achievement, process skills, and attitudes toward science (NRC 2000). Science teachers seek engaging, effective, and inquiry-based activities that are standards-aligned and convenient to implement in their classrooms. For many years, the web has…

Featuring an increased emphasis on the way today's changing science and technology is shaping our culture, this Second Edition of "Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School" provides pre- and in-service teachers with an introduction to basic science concepts and methods of science instruction, as well as practical strategies for the…

After reviewing both a scientific view and a political view of how American government should be taught, some lessons that political scientists can learn from teaching American government are detailed. The lessons include political inquiry, knowledge about methodology, and insight into the relationship of science and political society. (ND)

This resource contains a listing of the Nebraska Science Standards. In the primary grades, students should learn science at their developmental level. Children develop concepts, vocabulary, and inquiry skills by observing common materials and organisms. They develop the ability to ask questions, investigate the world around them, and use their…

This document introduces "Blue's Clues", a television science program and its development process. Blue's Clues is a series on Nickelodeon and currently telecasts five days a week. Childhood development theory states that young children learn skills through repetition; therefore, the same episode is presented on five consecutive days. This study…

This paper discusses the traditional lecture-based instruction method. Strong experimental evidence suggests that social context affects knowledge construction and depends on prior knowledge. Engagement in the inquiry process using constructivist viewpoints can make the characteristics of science, scientific knowledge, and scientific method easy…

The author sees the physical sciences as processes of inquiry and proceeds to analyze and criticize CHEM Study, CBA, and PSSC physics in terms of their views of inquiry and of the sciences. A discussion of some desirable features for a high school program in physical science is included. Bibliography. (LC)

Describes a collaborative professional development program, Inquiry-Based Field Studies Involving Teacher-Scientist Collaboration, that uses scientist-teacher teams to improve teachers' understanding of scientific inquiry. Reports that the project allowed teachers to develop a deeper understanding on the nature of science. (Author/YDS)

Examines the beliefs and practices of a high school biology teacher who developed an inquiry-based learning environment. Studies the process of day-to-day instruction, and analyzes classroom lessons and field trips to answer the question, How does a teacher establish an inquiry based learning environment? (Contains 36 references.) (YDS)

Comments in response to Pushkin's critique published in Science Education 2002, 86(2), p161-166 and reviews three aspects of the atheoretical nature of the National Science Education Standards (NSES) from the 1998 article in light of Pushkin's comments. (Author/YDS)

Due to his work to determine how cholera was spread in the 18th century, John Snow (1813-1858) has been hailed as the father of modern epidemiology. This article presents an inquiry model based on his life and work, which teachers can use to develop a series of biology lessons involving the history and nature of science. The lessons presented use…

Scientific inquiry reflects how scientists come to understand the natural world, and it is at the heart of how students learn. From a very early age, children interact with their environment, ask questions, and seek ways to answer those questions. Understanding science content is significantly enhanced when ideas are anchored to inquiry…

NASA CONNECT is an annual series of free integrated mathematics, science, and technology instructional distance learning programs for students in grades 5-8. This video presents the World Space Congress 2002, the meeting of the decade for space professionals. Topics discussed range from the discovery of distant planets to medical advancements,…

Inquiry-based research is recommended as a method for helping more students understand the nature of science as well as learn the substance of scientific knowledge, yet there is much to learn about how teachers might adapt inquiry for science teaching and what teachers need to know in order to do this. This case study of an exemplary teacher's…

Modifies the "What's in a Bag?" activity to effectively and engagingly demonstrate the nature of science. Describes each step of the activity and lists necessary materials. Shows students that, like scientists, their scientific models change as more data are gathered and incorporated into what is already known. (NB)