This book, written by science educators from nine countries, provides a summary of the strengths and weaknesses in practices of science education in schools, and of research in science education. It points out a number of directions that are likely to lead to improvements in the teaching and learning of science if applied in the future. Topics…

This Grade 11 teaching guide contains two curriculums which focus on 10 team physics projects and five thematic units in English. The 10 group physics projects are derived from the application of three laboratory units on the properties of matter, mechanics, and electricity. The outlined English curriculum ranges from such specifically pragmatic…

Describes a study designed to explore sources of influence on the judgements made by science teachers related to school characteristics, classroom features, and properties of a science curriculum. Results suggest that teachers' judgments center around concern for student ability and interest, teaching methods, and school spirit and morale. (TW)

Describes policies and practices found in each of the participant countries in the Second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement Science Study that could foster development of practical laboratory process skills. Topics include (1) science curriculum; (2) science teacher; (3) science facilities; and (4) learning by…

Information is presented about the educational systems of countries participating in the practical skills testing portions of the Second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement Science Study, drawing on accounts submitted by the participant nations Hungary, Israel, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the United States.…

A unit designed to cover the topic of genetic engineering and its ethical considerations is presented. Students are expected to learn the material while using a debate format. A list of objectives for the unit, the debate format, and the results from an opinion questionnaire are described. (KR)

Reports a sample of Houston's middle school science teachers (n=227) perceived level of need for and acceptance of (1) science-technology-society (STS) goal levels; (2) STS curricular materials, (3) inservice related to STS instructional methods; and (4) inservice focused on STS-related content. (23 references) (MDH)

Providing support focused on real challenges is critical in retaining highly qualified new science teachers, but the field lacks a systematic description of these teachers' needs. The authors of this article examine the areas that science teachers are expected to understand: (1) the content and disciplines of science; (2) learners; (3)…

The science achievement of 226 5th graders from districts that have a kit-based inquiry science curriculum supported by intensive professional development (PD) is compared with data from a group of 173 5th graders from other districts that use nonkit science materials and do not have systematic science PD for teachers. Within the kit-based…

For many Head Start teachers and staff, the word "science" conjures up uncomfortable feelings and memories. The purpose of this project--a collaborative effort of California State University, Long Beach and the Head Start Program of Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD)--was to prepare Head Start staff to become more capable,…

This course of study is aligned with the California State Science Framework and provides students with the physics content needed to become scientifically and technologically literate and prepared for post-secondary science education. Framework themes incorporated into the course of study include patterns of change, evolution, energy, stability,…

A study investigated the extent to which students' inquiry skills can be facilitated through the use of a computerized science database (Birds of the Antarctica) and specially designed curriculum materials. Much attention was given in the program to developing both students' inquiry skills and their subject-matter knowledge. Grade 11 and 12…

Presented are abstracts and abstractors' analyses of 10 studies related to science instruction and 3 studies related to science curriculum. Analyses in the first section (instruction) are on studies of: the influence of instructional structure and focus of control on achievement; effects of individualized audio-tutorial and frontal…

This monograph provides a comprehensive description of the science, technology, and society (STS) movement in science education. The STS approach strives to broaden the scope of science education by integrating into the science program accurate presentations of the nature of science, the nature of technology, and the interactions of science and…

The Science Quality Education Project (SQEP) experimented with a model of teacher inservice training referred to as the trainer-of-trainers' model. The project was initiated to promote the use of TVOntario's science programming and television as a teaching tool in science instruction. Using this model, the training was first concentrated on a…