Defines six types of investigations: (1) classifying and identifying; (2) fair testing; (3) pattern seeking; (4) exploring; (5) investigating models; and (6) making things or developing systems. Challenges the dominance of fair testing in school science investigations. (Author/WRM)

Analyzes some epistemological attributes of ecological hypotheses and theories and tries to connect them with the need for teaching strategies that take into account the strong provisional character of ecological knowledge. Shows that critical thinking is an essential tool in both learning and practicing ecological science. (DDR)

In this paper, we report on a program of study called Adventures in Modeling that challenges the traditional scientific method approach in science classrooms using StarLogo modeling software. Drawing upon previous successful efforts with older students, and the related work of other projects working with younger students, we explore: (a) What can…

"What's good for English learning students is good for all students" is a phrase that the author often hears as a teacher educator. However, English language learners have special needs that must be met with pinpointed strategies that target language so they can understand the content being taught. To better incorporate these strategies into the…

This article describes the curriculum for a highly student-centered human biology course constructed around a series of themes that enables the integration of the same basic paradigms found in a traditional survey lecture course without sacrificing essential content. The theme-based model enhances student interest, ability to integrate knowledge,…

The Senior Seminar in Biology course at Kean University teaches students who have taken core biology courses and achieved senior status to research primary literature on current topics in biology and produce a traditional seminar presentation that includes a written report and a clear and comprehensive oral talk with ensuing discussion. Senior…

In this article, the author shares his experience in incorporating writing into a science curriculum and how to incorporate effective techniques in teaching vocabulary, proper word usage, and reading comprehension skills, all common in a typical English curriculum. As a young teacher, she thought interdisciplinary units had to be extensive,…

One teacher took her class on a year long earthquake expedition. The goal was to monitor the occurrences of real earthquakes during the year and mark their locations with push pins on a wall-sized world map in the hallway outside the science room. The purpose of the project was to create a detailed picture of the earthquakes that occurred…

A little more than one hundred years ago, Wilbur and Orville Wright began building models of airfoils and testing them in wind tunnels in their search for an efficient wing. Models continue to be used today by aerospace engineers to prove concepts and launch dreams. To celebrate the centennial of the Wright brothers' historic flight, the authors…

The recent worldwide SARS outbreak has put the science of epidemiology into the headlines once again. Epidemiology is "... the study of the distribution and the determinants of health-related states or events and the application of these methods to the control of health problems" (Gordis 2000). In this context, the authors have developed a…

What is science for a child? How do children learn about science and how to do science? Drawing on a vast array of work from neuroscience to classroom observation, "Taking Science to School" provides a comprehensive picture of what we know about teaching and learning science from kindergarten through eighth grade. By looking at a broad range of…

This document resulted from the efforts of the Brevard County (Florida) Science Leadership Team, a group of science teachers with a wide spectrum of experiences and philosophies. It contains a series of recommendations based on national trends for change in curriculum. Sections include Scientific Literacy for All, Stakeholders and Their Roles,…

This document describes a two-year integrated biology and chemistry curriculum for ninth and tenth grade students. The first chapter outlines the rationale for integrating biology and chemistry and presents the topic sequence for the integrated curriculum. Chapter 2 discusses the developmental, cognitive, and philosophical issues that form the…

In response to the rapidly emerging environmental imperative that environmental awareness needs to be taught in the schools, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) through its Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) developed a project oriented toward grass-roots improvements by schools within environmental…

Province-wide school-leaving examinations had been an integral part of education in British Columbia (Canada) until 1973 when they were abandoned for a period of 10 years and reintroduced in 1983. This study investigated the effects of the grade 12 examinations in secondary science, and of science assessments conducted in grade 10. Researchers…