There has been a call for approaches that connect science learning with literacy, yet the use of, and research on, children's literature information books in science instruction has been quite limited. Because the discipline of science involves distinctive generic linguistic registers, what information books should be integrated in science…

This paper argues that the dominant form of science education that is common across the world rests on a set of values that have no merit. Moreover, such practice has a negative impact on students' attitudes to science. It makes the case that the primary goal of any science education should be to develop scientific literacy and explores what that…

This case study examines the alignment between the Intended Curriculum, Implemented Curriculum and Achieved Curriculum of a fourth grade inquiry based unit, "Food Chains and Webs." Specifically addressed are how the curriculum was modified to meet state standards, how teachers were trained, and how assessment of curricular implementation was…

A description of the physics 3204 course in Newfoundland and Labrador is provided. The description includes: (1) statement of purpose, including general objectives of science education; (2) a list of six course objectives; (3) course content for units on sound, light, optical instruments, electrostatics, current electricity, Michael Faraday and…

The eight case studies included in this volume were conducted during a major study of Canadian science education. The study was undertaken to establish a documented basis for describing the present purposes and general characteristics of science teaching in Canadian schools, to provide a historical analysis of science education in Canada, and to…

The implementation of inquiry-based teaching is a major theme in national science education reform documents such as "Project 2061: Science for All Americans" (Rutherford & Alhgren, 1990) and the "National Science Education Standards" (NRC, 1996). These reports argue that inquiry needs to be a central strategy of all…

Describes an individualized general biology course, taught at Marymount College of Kansas, that encourages students to assume responsibilty for their own learning. (JR)

This publication is designed for educators, researchers, and students in both school and university audiences. In an effort to give a more in-depth analysis of the Inquiry Type Science Curricula, this publication defines its terms, describes goals and objectives of modern science curricula, gives a history of, reasons for, and description of…

Describes a laboratory course in Physical Geology designed to encourage students to ask their own questions and to develop and test their own answers. The essence of this approach lies in providing a minimum of preconditioning before the exercises. (MLH)

This is the final report to the National Science Foundation (NSF) from a grant to develop a course in biometeorological field techniques. Objectives of the course were to give students experiences in making field measurements of parameters of the physical environment and their impact on plants and animals; and to develop an understanding of the…

Described is an introductory materials science laboratory program which emphasizes crystal structure both on the atomistic and microscopic scale and the dependence of materials properties on structure. The content of this program is classified into four major areas: (1) materials science, (2) mechanical behavior of materials, (3) materials testing…

Reports on adverse side effects in an organic chemistry course taught by the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI). (SL)

Compared 2,500 13- and 17-year-old students in the United States with 350 13-year-old and 340 17-year-old students in Israel using test items from the 1976 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) efforts. The study was designed to examine the results of school science upon affective outcomes of instruction. (JN)

Describes the development of activity centered science minicourses in an isolated California high school, and lists the characteristics considered essential for a good minicourse curriculum. Advocates a program in which specialist teachers travel between small rural schools with limited resources, presenting well developed and exciting…

Presents some ideas about teaching electromagnetic induction at sixth form level, including educational objectives, learning difficulties, syllabus requirements, selection of unit system, and sequence of material presentation. Suggests the Education Group of the Institute of Physics hold further discussions on these aspects before including the…