Socio-scientific teaching and learning (SSI-TL) has been suggested as an effective approach for supporting meaningful learning in school contexts; however, limited tools exist to support the work of designing and implementing this approach. In this paper, we draw from a series of four design based research projects that have produced SSI…

In this article, I introduce a framework for guiding future citizens to think critically about nature of science (NOS) and "with" NOS as they engage in socioscientific decision making. The framework, referred to as the critical thinking--nature of science (CT-NOS) framework, explicates and targets both NOS as a learning objective and NOS…

The purpose of this study was to describe connections among students' views of nature of science in relation to the goals of a curriculum delivered in a unique setting, one where a researcher and two teachers collaborated to develop a course devoted to teaching students about how knowledge is built in science. Students proceeded through a cycle of…

Finding the time for developing or locating new class materials is one of the biggest barriers for instructors reforming their teaching approaches. Even instructors who have taken part in training workshops may feel overwhelmed by the task of transforming passive lecture content to engaging learning activities. Learning cycles have been…

Recently "Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements" ("CAPS") were introduced in South Africa in response to confusion precipitated by previous curriculum documents. The purpose of this paper is to explore that confusion in the subject 'Physical Sciences' and consider the nature of the transformation from the previous…

Intended for regular classroom teachers in intermediate science classes serving the gifted and talented student, the curriculum handbook is designed to give a basic understanding of gifted education, to list appropriate goals and objectives for the gifted student, and to suggest materials and strategies for implementation within the regular…

Current curriculum evaluation models tend to cater to desirable or ideal situations and offer little help to the evaluator of ongoing curricular innovations, many of which are characterized by little assistance or control of implementation, little monitoring or supervision of operation, and haphazard postimplementation modification or development.…

THE SCIENCE PROGRAM AT NOVA HIGH SCHOOL IS STRUCTURED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. THE JUNIOR HIGH PROGRAM EMPHASIZES THE ACCUMLATION, TABULATION, AND ANALYSIS OF DATA. THE SENIOR HIGH PROGRAM MAKES USE OF THESE PROCESSES IN THE INVESTIGATION OF VARIOUS SUBJECT AREAS. THE UNITS COMPOSING THE HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM ARE DESCRIBED. UNIT…

The purpose of this publication is to aid elementary teachers in defining and illustrating career education concepts within the framework of the science and social studies curriculums thay are teaching. Behavioral objectives were written to connect the subject areas with career education themes. The Center for Vocational and Technical Education at…

Ohio's Model Competency-Based Science Program is designed to provide direction for school districts in developing local competency-based science education programs. This guidebook provides direction for those responsible for developing district science programs. Section 1 is an introduction to competency-based education that covers the spirit and…

A review of research indicates a lack of studies dealing with the impact of methods and materials on student attitudes, understanding, performance, and motivation. Research tends to be discipline-centered rather than pupil-or learning- centered. (Author)

Four models which illustrate potential orientations for baccalaureate programs in agronomy are presented. Included are Technical Training; Information Transfer; Principles Application; and Systems Agronomy. Strengths and weaknesses of each program are discussed. (CW)

Explains cognitive basis for change in science paradigms using Watson-Crick DNA model to illustrate concepts of "normal" versus "revolutionary" science. Examines these concepts in light of teacher preception of science, and discusses implications for the practice of science education. (JM)

A MODEL FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT WITH DIFFERENTIALLY PACED SYSTEMS OF LEARNING WAS DESIGNED, IMPLEMENTED, AND EVALUATED. THE MODEL WAS BASED ON THE CURRENT STATE-OF-THE-ART AND PROVIDED DETAILED MECHANIZATION BY WHICH STUDENTS IN MASS TRAINING EFFORTS COULD PROCEED AT THEIR OPTIMAL, INDIVIDUAL RATES OF LEARNING TOWARD THE ATTAINMENT OF COURSE…

Presented is the final formative evaluation report on "Me and My Environment," a 3-year multimedia environmental sciences program developed for 14 to 17-year-old educable mentally handicapped (EMH) children by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS). Discussed are the goals of employability and personal independence for EMH…