The enthusiasm for science displayed by students in early elementary grades is unparalleled. If not nurtured in elementary school, the spark for learning science diminishes. Unfortunately, the amount of time spent on science in Grades 1-4 has steadily declined since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. In 2012, the National…

Explains the Every Teacher a Researcher (ETR) program and invites teachers to participate in classroom research on students' problem-solving abilities. Reviews previous approaches taken to investigations of problem solving in science. Identifies characteristics of successful and unsuccessful problem solvers. (ML)

Presents perspectives on the aims and content of materials science courses and materials engineering courses. Outlines a proposed curriculum for a four-year degree course in engineering and identifies technical and social skills necessary for engineers. (ML)

Science is often the stepchild among elementary school subjects-- something less than basic but not quite elective. This handbook encourages elementary school principals to begin thinking about science as a fourth "R" in their school's curriculum, a subject that teaches basic skills while enhancing those learned in other curricular…

Commissioned for use during the design phase of the "Skills Essential to Learning" (SEL) video project, this concept paper makes a number of suggestions for facilitating effective scientific learning. These include: (1) establishing a positive climate for science learning in which the student can ask and pursue questions, change routes,…

The United States-Japan Cooperative Science Program was initiated for the purpose of conducting research related to logical thinking and reasoning skills of science students. The findings of these research efforts were reported and discussed at a seminar for science educators from the United States and Japan. This report provides the review of the…

A program for remediating science illiteracy among primary level students is offered in this publication. A practicum was designed to address the lack of science teaching and student science experiences at the Marian Boyd School in Warrentown, North Carolina. Priorities included in-service education for teachers, a science laboratory for students,…

Seychelles Integrated Science (SIS), a 3-year laboratory-based science program for students (ages 11-15) in upper primary grades 7, 8, and 9, was developed from an extensive evaluation and modification of previous P7-P9 materials. This P7 SIS unit is designed to: (1) introduce students to and familiarize them with working in the school laboratory;…

The evolution of argument that the study of science develops skills, attitudes of mind, or ways of thinking and behaving that are transferable to other areas of experience is discussed by looking at ways in which it has been deployed by people who sought to expand or alter the role of science in the school curriculum in Great Britain. (RM)

Describes the contributions of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to the development of college faculty in 1958, 1968, and 1978. The described activities are NSF institutes, faculty research participation, and fellowship programs. (HM)

Several research studies that can provide direction for improving elementary school science programs are highlighted. Selected results are summarized and suggestions given to elementary school administrators for translating research into action in their schools, action which can lead to improved teaching and learning in science. Studies are…