Provides ideas and suggestions for helping students increase their problem-solving skills, including a four-step general problem-solving approach. Specific examples (considering qualitative problems and problem sequence) and comments on testing/grading are also provided. (JN)

Describes a course designed to familiarize students with alternative sources of energy, with emphasis on problem-solving strategies. Includes list of major topics/subtopics addressed and list of textbooks and recommended readings on alternative energy sources. (JN)

Examined relation between college students' (N=108) ability to solve simple ratio tasks (for example, their proportional reasoning patterns) and their rule-governed behavior with the balance beam. Also identified modifications in a set of rules for the balance beam tasks. Results and implications for science instruction are discussed. (JN)

A problem-solving network (flow chart) constructed for use in calculating titration is described. Points out that use of the network has greatly improved student confidence and skill in performing these calculations. (Author/JN)

Discusses the use of microcomputers and software as problem-solving tools, including comments on "TK! Solver," automatic problem-solving program (reviewed in detail on pp.84-86 in this same issue). Also discusses problem-solving approaches to bridge the disciplines, such as music/physics, junior high science/mathematics (genetics),…

Investigates common problem-solving strategies of sixth-grade students (N=25) identified by their teachers as having superior abilities in problem solving. Audiotaped interview problem-solving sessions recorded behaviors of individual students. Conclusions are that superior problem solvers share common strategies for different types of problems.…

A study was conducted to determine if a group of eighth graders (N=26) who received environmental action instruction would exhibit more overt environmental behavior than groups who received environmental awareness instruction (N=21) or science instruction (control group). The study supported the action instruction. (DC)

Reports the findings of a study which examined the knowledge and problem-solving strategies used by 14 ninth grade biology students to solve three types of basic genetics problems. Concludes that although most students could solve problems correctly, they sometimes lacked meaningful understanding or could not interrelate concepts. (DC)

Many science curriculum development projects have the goal of increasing students' ability to employ scientific or formal reasoning strategies. Argues that longitudinal data of students who acquired formal reasoning strategies as a consequence of specific instruction are needed to provide evidence that these skills will help in other academic…

A model of memory developed by information processing psychologists is described, illustrating how such a model could be used to guide science education research on learning and problem solving. (Author/SK)

Investigates the interaction between semantic knowledge and process skills in eighth-grade students' (N=27) performance in solving two types of problems (analogies and set-membership) of inducing structure drawn from physical geology concepts. (DS)

Describes a sequential problem solving method for teaching stoichiometry to high school students. Provides several sample problems. (CS)

Explains how common-sense notions correspond with fundamental ecosystem principles and can be applied towards finding solutions to environmental problems. A more holistic approach to environmental education, with emphasis upon basic principles of ecosystem ecology, is needed. (WB)

A study to investigate one of the mechanisms teachers may use to convince themselves incorrectly that students have learned science concepts requiring formal operational ability is presented. The investigation indicates instructors may actually teach and test for memorization of algorithms rather than understanding. (MP)

Science is shown to have unique characteristics that make it a valuable component of a basic education. While stressing the physical world, it can also provide a good model for rational and moral behavior. (JMF)