In the last twenty years, citizen science has blossomed as a way to engage a broad range of individuals in doing science. Citizen science projects focus on, but are not limited to, nonscientists participating in the processes of scientific research, with the intended goal of advancing and using scientific knowledge. A rich range of projects extend…

Experiments are essential for both doing science and learning science. The aim of the German youth science fair, "Jugend forscht," is to encourage scientific thinking and inquiry methods such as experimentation. Based on 57 interviews with participants of the competition, this study summarises students' conceptions and steps of learning…

Project-based science (PBS) instruction can simply be defined as a student-centered science teaching approach, in which students produce tangible learning outcomes by posing and answering research questions that are relevant to their own lives and communities. In a PBS classroom, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own…

These teacher-tested ideas will guide students in creating true inquiry-based projects. Two of the ideas, the Topic Selection Wizard and Science Project Timeline, are appropriate for all science fair programs, even new ones. For existing programs, the Black Box of Project Improvement and After-School Project Clinic improve project quality and…

The Learning in Science Project (Primary)--LISP(P)--was designed to examine problems and difficulties in primary science and to explore ways of overcoming these problems. Early research led to a proposal that children's questions and explanations could form the basis of an alternative teaching approach. However, several issues were raised which…

In recent years, a number of curriculum reform projects have championed the notion of having students do science in ways that move beyond hands-on work with authentic materials and methods, or developing a conceptual grasp of current theories. These reformers have argued that students should come to an understanding of science through doing the…

Few European countries have developed a broad strategic framework to raise the profile of science in education and wider society. However, a wide range of initiatives have been implemented in many countries. The impact of these various activities is nevertheless difficult to measure. School partnerships with science-related organisations are…

Reported is a study to determine differences between selected elementary Index, Revised Inquiry Index, percentage of class time spent in pupil experiment Index, Revised Inquiry Index, percentage of class time spend in pupil experiment and time spent in reading and/or extended viewing activities. Audio-tape recordings were made using materials from…

Reported is a preliminary effort at the development of a lesson-writing paradigm. Changes in the verbal behavior of seventh-grade pupils during their study of the first eight chapters of Volume 1 of the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS, 1968) were related to the frequency of occurrence of the concept words in the instructional material.…

This publication is developed for grades K-6 as a curriculum guide for the Science/Social Studies Program. The introduction gives purpose and structure of program, format of each unit, sequence of each lesson and key to abbreviated organization or project titles. A map, which orders the units according to grade level and defines the skills, is…

Teacher process variables and student outcomes were examined as they appeared in two settings employing curriculum materials based on alternate psychological learning approaches. The two settings were based on the cognitive restructuring and behavioral approaches described by Bruner and Gagne, respectively. Ten teachers were involved in the study.…

This study examined the effectiveness of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) materials for visually handicapped children. Fourteen students, ranging in age from 9 to 19 and working in small groups with student teachers, received science instruction using the adapted version of the SCIS program. Control subjects were matched closely on…

Described are alternative approaches for developing visual perception skills found in using selected science experiences. Use of various science programs available, such as ESS, SCIS, OBIS and Matal, is suggested. Visual sequencing is prescribed and described. (EB)

Reported is a study of the effects of self-pacing versus deadlines and working with a partner versus working alone on learning rate, retention, and attitude. Seventh grade Intermediate Science Curriculum Studies (ISCS) students of 12 teachers located in two different localities (city and county) participated in the study. Results showed that…

Compared is an inquiry-oriented Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) style laboratory approach with a more directive traditional approach on student outcomes in the cognitive and affective domains of learning. Differences in science achievement, reasoning ability, attitude, and stages of development are discussed. (KR)