An approach to mapping work in the elementary classroom is presented. Described is a sixth-grade class working with mapping activities for the first time over a three-week span. Activities described include mapping of a classroom, the importance of a key, and important map characteristics. (DS)

Presented is a teacher's guide from the Elementary Science Study offering suggested mapping activities. This guide is organized into four general sections: (1) Finding a Place; (2) Finding Your Way; (3) Looking at Scale; and (4) Outdoor Mapping. Each section suggests activities for several lessons; materials and questions are listed for each…

THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS IN UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADES STUDYING THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT STUDY (SCIS) UNIT "POSITION AND MOTION". THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT FOLLOWS A CYCLE OF PRELIMINARY EXPLORATION, INVENTION OF SPECIFIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO REFERENCE FRAMES, AND DISCOVERY OF THE USEFULNESS OF THE CONCEPT.…

Reviews the advanced chemistry course of the Nuffield O-Level Chemistry Project being developed in Great Britain. (SL)

Discusses reasons for the failure of the post-Sputnik science curricula and offers criteria for selecting relevant curriculum content, suggesting that these curricula focus on problem-solving. Lists seven problem areas (technological, environmental, empirical, historical, aesthetic, philosophical, and futuristic) with recommended topics for each…

Skills needed for problem-solving are discussed. Examples of defining problems, questioning, observing, classifying, predicting, and confirming are provided. An overview of the Elementary Science Study (ESS) program, including a list of ESS units (grouped by subject matter), is also provided. (Author/JN)

Science curriculum evaluation studies (1963-1978) were examined to assess impact of innovative curricula compared with traditional curricula on student learning outcomes. Results suggest students in secondary school science courses scored moderately better than students in traditional courses on innovative and neutral tests and negligibly lower on…

Provides rationale for interdisciplinary science curricula which emphasize decision-making skills. Includes examples of interdisciplinary curricula using an issue-centered approach: Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary School (USMES), Health Activities Program (HAP), Human Sciences Program (HSP), Individualized Science Instructional…

Provides an explanation and background material for the use of time lines to predict positions of five planets. (DS)

Presents an interview with Fletcher G. Watson, best known to physics teachers as codirector of Harvard Project Physics. Dr. Watson speaks of his career as a science educator, history of science, Piaget, state of science education in the United States, and curriculum projects, among other topics. (SK)

Described is a series of two-day Elementary Science Awareness Conferences, funded by the National Science Foundation for science supervisors and general elementary supervisors in North Carolina. The goals for these conferences are discussed. (Author/DS)

Described is the Individual Concern for the Environment (ICE) Project utilized in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The major goals of ICE are to train a corps of environmental educators and to develop a strong instructional program which involves the community as well as the students. (Author/DS)

Proposes a revised learning cycle model termed the Metacognitive Learning Cycle which emphasizes formal opportunities for teachers and students to talk about their science ideas. Analyses two different pedagogical classroom approaches, the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) approach and the metacognitive approach, and observes changes in…

The reform of elementary and secondary school science education in the United States has received renewed attention with the publication of several science reform documents and the 1989 Education Summit sponsored by the nation's governors and President Bush. This digest reviews documents which focus on the reform of science education and projects…

This is the final report of the Physical Science for Nonscience Students (PSNS) development project. The report includes five major topics and five appendices. The first section, the History of Organizational Activities, discusses the conferences in 1963-64 that initiated the planning of the course. The remaining sections include Administration,…