This activity guide is designed to be used with the Growing Together program. Tree-related activities are correlated to the Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy, the recommended standards for mathematics, science, and technology suggested by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The Treature Educational Program is dedicated…

National concerns about the quality and effectiveness of science teaching have resulted in several efforts directed at restructuring the United States' science curriculum. This digest discusses recent initiatives of the Earth Systems Education. Topics discussed include: (1) efforts to understand the planet Earth; (2) the Program for Leadership in…

A 4-year effort at Yale University School of Medicine to teach toxicology as an elective basic science from the standpoint of organ-specific toxic effects is described. The objective of the successful multidisciplinary program is to prepare physicians to understand, recognize, and manage adverse effects from drugs and other environmental…

Reviews events leading to the Congressional controversy of funding the precollege implementation program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and attempts to identify some issues related to NSF involvement in the implementation of curriculum projects that merit further study by those responsible for developing long-range educational policy.…

A comparative study of student achievement in botany and zoology based on data of 10 studies conducted in 20 countries. Up to age 14, students achieve better in zoology; after age 14, students achieve better in botany. Based on the findings, recommendations are suggested regarding curriculum planning, laboratory work and the need for specific…

A graduate-level computational chemistry course was designed and developed and carried out in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the Fall of 2005. The thrust of the course was a reaction assignment that led students through a series of steps, beginning with energetic predictions based upon fundamental…

This curriculum plan is submitted as a framework for developing educational programs at the Columbus Zoo Aquarium (CZA) for elementary school students in grades 3 through 6. It is intended to provide support and assistance to those involved with CZA programs. Major sections include: (1) "Review of Columbus Zoo's Educational Programs";…

A meta-analysis of studies of the impact of new science curricula on the performance of students was initially conducted in 1983 as part of a coordinated program of meta-analysis of research on science education. This paper reports the results of a re-synthesis of the research dealing with student performance in the new science curriculum using…

It is now almost universally acknowledged that science education must be rejuvenated to serve the needs of American society. An emerging science of science education based on recent advances in psychological research could make this rejuvenation dramatic. Four aspects of psychological research relevant to science curriculum design are discussed:…

A stakeholder approach was used in the evaluation of the basic science courses of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. The stakeholder approach attempted to structure the working relationship between the evaluator and the program stakeholders so that they participated in choosing issues, data to be collected, and ways to organize and…

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…

A course in human biology was developed to increase course options for students of all abilities and interest levels who successfully completed 1 year of high school science. Major topic areas of the course include: general plan of the human body; causes, cures, and prevention of diseases; human body chemistry; structure and function of cells,…

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…

This guide consists of examples and blank worksheets to aid Oklahoma schools in assessing their science curriculum on a continuing basis. Worksheets focus on: (1) philosophy and rationale of science curricula; (2) expected student outcomes; (3) educational programs (topics covered and concepts emphasized); (4) student skills; (5) program…

It is noted that much of what is known about middle and junior high schools is extrapolated from data on elementary or secondary schools. This study is designed as a systematic review of the current status of science teaching at these levels in the United States as a foundation from which curriculum modifications can be reasonably undertaken. The…