Science outreach programs that enable real-time interactions between scientists and school-aged children are known to positively impact learning gains and students' perceptions of scientists. To expand K-12 outreach by scientists, it is important to build structured outreach programs which offer scientists well-defined opportunities, while…

We conducted interviews with non-formal environmental education programs aimed at K-12 student participants to: 1) understand the current objectives of non-formal environmental science-focused K-12 diversity pathway programs; 2) learn techniques used to recruit and engage participants with the ultimate goal of advancing them along an environmental…

This article looks at how the nature of truth in science is not absolute and in accepting the idea that certain 'laws' are sufficiently true we can unlock the rigidity of discipline-based scientific thinking to make the possibility of tackling many of the grand challenges facing society a reality. The nature of Open Science is focused on the fact…

The Lawrence Hall of Science implemented a two-phase project, Building Understanding in Language Diverse Students, to modify school group workshops and drop-in public programs to better support linguistically diverse students and visitors. As we applied language support strategies developed for the school group workshops to additional areas of the…

This article outlines the 'Big Ideas' approach to curriculum reform, as applied in the 'Principles and Big Ideas of Science Education' project. A critical analysis follows of the outcomes of the University of Exeter's 'Identifying Principles and Big Ideas for Religious Education' project, which sought to apply the same approach to Religious…

The purpose of this article is to introduce the development of nanotechnology education in Taiwan using the example of evidenced-based lessons. Combining with the interest in STEM and gifted education, the goals were to cultivate teachers' capacity to teach new technology, to enhance K-12 high-ability students' interests and understanding of basic…

The Next Generation Science Standards embody a new vision for science education grounded in the idea that science is both a body of knowledge and a set of linked practices for developing knowledge. The authors describe strategies that they suggest school and district leaders consider when designing strategies to support NGSS implementation.

4-H youth development programs nationwide are responding to the 4-H National Science, Engineering, and Technology (4-H SET) Initiative to involve more youth in Science, Engineering, and Technology activities. The goal is to increase the numbers of youth choosing to pursue SET careers. This article describes a program that is having great success…

This article focuses on the potential of free tools, particularly inquiry tools for influencing participation in twenty-first-century learning in science, as well as influencing the development of communities around tools. Two examples are presented: one on the development of an open source tool for structured inquiry learning that can bridge the…

In an effort to develop an engineering design project that would deliver the necessary content and reach out to the English Language Learner (ELL) community, faculty in the Engineering Academy at Springdale High School in Springdale, Arkansas instituted the ELL Engineering Collaborative. The ELL Engineering Collaborative has four primary goals…

Described are the weekday, Saturday, and summer programs for over 745 gifted children (grades 4-12) offered at the Talcott Mountain Science Center for Student Involvement in Connecticut. (BB)

Discusses summer academy programs that feature classroom and hands-on clinical practicum experience to introduce students to the rigors of the academic preparation required for health-profession careers, and the opportunity to be involved in direct patient care and laboratory-research experiences. Contains 22 references. (Author/ASK)

Discussed is the Research Team Approach to Learning (ReTAL) as used in programs for gifted elementary and secondary school science students at the Talcott Mountain Science Center and in the Fairfield (CT) public schools. (BB)

Suggests using the planetarium as an educational resource for all ages. Discusses various planetarium teaching techniques and planetarium programs (with objectives) at Ball State University. They include programs for school children, college students, and the general public. (DH)

Presents an account of the Environment and School Initiatives (ENSI) project. Outlines the philosophical basis of the project and explores case studies. Discusses some of the current issues in the field. (Author/CCM)