Epistemic criteria are the standards used to evaluate scientific products (e.g., models, evidence, arguments). In this study, we analyzed epistemic criteria for good models generated by 324 middle-school students. After evaluating a range of scientific models, but before extensive instruction or experience with model-based reasoning practices,…

The purpose of this pragmatic action research study was to explore our re-conceptualization efforts in preparing pre-service teachers to guide the inquiry process with formative assessment and subsequently use the understandings to improve our teacher preparation program. The process was guided by two questions: to what extent did course…

There exists a general consensus in the science education literature around the goal of enhancing learners' views of nature of science (NOS). An extensive body of research in the field has highlighted the effectiveness of explicit NOS instructional approaches in improving learners' NOS views. Emerging research has suggested that engaging learners…

The contributions of Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, Chemical Education Materials Study, and the Physical Science Study Committee courses to the understanding of science among Israeli students are compared. Changes in science process inventory scores in concurrent courses in grades 9-12 are examined. Common misunderstandings about the nature…

The Science Curriculum Improvement Study program is meeting its own objectives. There were significant differences between cognitive performance of SCIS and control classes related to materials studied. (AL)

Teachers who are classified as humanistic'' were perceived by students as using different teaching styles than those classified as custodial.'' The humanistic'' teachers tended to be perceived as using techniques more compatible with the recommendations of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study writers. (AL)

Uses a Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) as an indicator of field-independency in an investigation with college graduate students. Results reveal that GEFT scores were not affected by the treatment of 18 hours of instruction in Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) materials or by pretesting effects. (CP)

Integrated quantitatively the collective research dealing with the effects of the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) on student performance and attitude. The weighted mean effect size was 0.09, indicating that the performance of ISCS students was 0.09 standard deviations about the performance of students in traditional science courses.…

Students whose Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) physics course was supplemented with the PSSC films did not achieve significantly higher scores on the PSSC Achievement Test or the Test on Understanding Science than students who did not see the films, when intelligence and science background were used as covariates. (AL)

Students who had taken a Biological Sciences Curriculum Study biology course in high school were more likely to choose a biology-related science program in college than students who had taken other high school biology courses. (AL)

Investigates cumulative effects of SCIS in terms of students' attitudes. Hypothesized and supported is that students exposed to the complete SCIS program would show a greater degree of positive attitude toward science, experimenting, and the scientist than would those not exposed to SCIS. Results indicating sex differences in attitudes are…

Reports a study undertaken to determine the effect of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) on logical thinking. Evidence of logical thinking was measured as the ability to explain compensating variables that occurred in a cart experiment presented on silent 16 mm film. (GS)

A battery of tests was administered to three groups of high school students who studied the Israel Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) Adaptation Program for several years. Compared with non-BSCS students, the progress of the BSCS students in biological knowledge, inquiry skills, and understanding of science demonstrates the feasibility of…

Studied the intellectual differences between third and fourth grade Filipino children who had studied Science--A Process Approach (SAPA) and others who had studied a traditional curriculum. The SAPA children performed significantly better than the control group on a test of observing, comparing, and classifying simple geometric objects. (MLH)

The study investigates the usefulness of teaching science courses that have a commonality of subject matter and a sequential patterning of operations. Introductory Physical Science (IPS) and CHEM Study courses were compared. The results indicated IPS is a useful background for CHEM Study. (BR)