Despite the increasing demand for non-formal science learning activities, few studies report on practitioners' perspectives and experiences with designing and implementing such activities worldwide. This paper focuses on their challenges by drawing upon twenty-two interviews with practitioners involved in diverse science learning activities in…

In building a program to advance school leadership in science, a mechanism for prioritizing science education at a school was developed for schools and then carried out by school staff. The development process (including focus groups and interviews) and literature review yielded a difference in thought between teachers and administrators about…

The objective of our program is to foster and facilitate authentic research experiences in middle and high school science courses. We do so by providing students with a complete experience in scientific experimentation and communication. The centerpiece is a set of experiment modules in which students investigate the effects of toxic chemicals on…

Previous research has linked inquiry-based science instruction (i.e., science instruction that engages students in doing science rather than just learning about science) with greater gains in student learning than text-book based methods (Vanosdall, Klentschy, Hedges & Weisbaum, 2007; Banilower, 2007; Ferguson 2009; Bredderman, 1983;…

In this commentary, I discuss how policy initiatives play out in two different contexts for elementary school teachers yet produce very similar outcomes regarding teachers' professional development and school science learning for elementary students. Ironically, the outcomes that we want see in elementary school science learning and professional…

Modern science education reform recommends that teachers provide K-12 science students a more complete picture of the scientific enterprise, one that lies beyond content knowledge and centers more on the processes and culture of scientists. In the case of Research Experience for Teachers (RET) programs, the "teacher" becomes "researcher" and it is…

The use of high stakes testing to improve educational outcomes falls short in many settings. Proposals for improvement include providing more opportunities for students to extend their thinking, gaining experience in the social nature of science, and learning how to interpret, explain, and justify results. This phenomenological qualitative project…

Implementation of science curriculum materials has been a fundamental challenge in science education for decades. Policy researchers have argued that alignment of standards, curriculum, and assessment are the key to supporting implementation. This paper focuses on teachers' perceptions of curricular alignment and on curriculum implementation using…

Science education reform is an ongoing, forever changing process. The purpose of this booklet is to provide a brief overview of the players in science education reform, the similarities in their underlying beliefs, and the essential changes that need to be made in science education to ensure maximum use of resources that promote effective learning…

This report is intended as an information resource for teachers, scientists, and others involved in developing science curricula, science literacy materials for the public, or related information addressing issues of science education reform. The following sections are included: (1) Introduction; (2) The Big (Numbers) Picture: Selected Data; (3)…

Describes the use of problem surveys to identify trends in the common problems of a group, to focus the direction of programs to attack identified problems, and to evaluate implemented programs. Gives an example of a survey which states educational problems to be ordered in terms of priorities. (MLH)

Factors related to the success of implementing elementary school science program changes are discussed. Decisions must be based on continuing teacher needs assessments, strengths and weaknesses of the maintenance system, community awareness, and observations of consequent student behavior. (BT)

Project Kaleidoscope began in 1989, with support from the National Science Foundation, with the goal of strengthening undergraduate science and mathematics programs across the country. Through workshops and publications it focuses on all aspects of the undergraduate environment including faculty, curriculum, facilities, and institutional issues.…

Discusses the proposal of establishing a Department of Education (DOEd), and the possibility of transferring the entire Educational Directorate of the National Science Foundation to DOEd. Argues that this action will be detrimental to the interests of science education and might have adverse effects on research. (GA)