The ability to represent numerical quantities in symbolic form is a necessary foundation for mathematical competence. Variables are particularly important symbolic representations for learning algebra and succeeding in higher mathematics, but the mechanisms of how students link a variable to what it represents are not well understood. Research…

Discussions held in the chemical education community have generated a variety of reports and recommendations for reforming the chemistry curriculum. The recommendations refer to teaching chemistry in the context of real-world issues. This has been suggested as a way to enhance students' motivation. It is suggested that real-world problems…

There are many types of inquiry activities out there: Demonstrations, guided or scaffolded inquiry labs, open- or free-inquiry labs, and problem-based or project-based learning activities are all staples in science education. The importance of inquiry is highlighted in such documents as the National Science Education Standards (NRC 1996) and the…

This article offers a personal vision and conceptual design for reimagining specialized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academies designed to nurture "decidedly different" STEM minds and ignite a new generation of global STEM talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. This design enables students to engage…

The relationship between a student's stated preference for solving a problem and his/her actual problem methodology, concrete or abstract, was studied. Comparisons were made between formal and nonformal students. (MP)

A technique for investigating and quantifying problem solving mediating processes was developed; the question of whether this technique could be used to detect different approaches to problem solving among groups of subjects when measured over a time interval was studied. Results showed that processing modes differed as to professional interest…

Presents an experimental design to investigate the role of the cognitive information processing component and various levels of information density or information processing output. Both the information treatment and analytic ability had significant effects on the information-processing output. (DF)

This issue of "Investigations In Science Education" (ISE) contains abstracts and critical analyses, prepared by science educators, of research reports published in professional journals. The 11 reports discussed involve instruction, problem solving, process skill development, teacher education and behavior, and attitudes. Each abstract includes…

Describes the basic concept of university-based innovation centers, which are sponsored by the NSF, to involve the students in the process of innovation and entrepreneurship. Gives numerous examples of success where the final outcome has been a new product or even a new company. (GA)

Describes the numerical methods of relaxation and over-relaxation for solving Laplace's equation for a system of conductors, and gives several examples of their use. (Author/GA)

Evidence from video tapes of experts thinking aloud and using analogies in scientific problem solving is presented. Four processes appear to be important in using an analogy: (1) generating the analogy; (2) establishing confidence in the validity of the analogy relation; (3) understanding the analogous case; and (4) applying findings to the…

During the summer of 1986 a group of 15 racially diverse students entering 10th and 11th grades participated in an intensive 4-week course taught by members of an NSF-funded project. The project's goals were to develop science and mathematics curricula based on the principles of systems dynamics. The course was a test of materials intended to…

This document reorts on an educational research study involving 75 eighth-grade students to determine the effects of problem solving instruction on the ability of students to apply proportional reasoning in problem situations. Results suggest that changes in basic reasoning skills such as proportional reasoning are long term, highly dependent on…

A study done based on the premise that classroom groups can help students develop their intellectual thinking and potential, especially their skills in critical thinking. Students were paired according to similar I.Q. scores. (EB)

Comparisons of expert and novice problem solving in physics have helped characterize some of the key features of expert behavior. There is considerable debate, however, as to whether these characteristics are specific to the field of expertise (physics) or exportable to other fields. While the question seems difficult to answer in general, at…