The world faces a number of complex challenges that are sometimes referred to as "wicked problems." Universities have been relatively poor at preparing graduates for such challenges, yet it will be the future professionals who need to tackle the problems. This essay looks at two related projects that have attempted to advance the skills…

To support and promote secondary analyses, the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) is making the SITES 2006 international database and accompanying User Guide available to researchers, analysts, and public users. The database comprises national contexts and school- and teacher-level data from 23 education…

The purpose of this report is to describe the work that has been done so far on learning progressions in science, examine the challenges to developing usable learning progressions, determine if further investments are warranted, and if so, what investments are needed to realize their promised benefits. The report examines the quality and utility…

In this article we investigate the changing context for teacher professional learning potentially afforded by the conceptual change from professional development to professional learning. Using a narrative case study methodology, we utilize the "Best Evidence Synthesis Iteration" developed by Timperley, Wilson, Barrar and Fung (2007) to analyse…

Education and political leaders worldwide are increasingly placing emphasis on developing scientific literacy. This also is the case in Thailand with science education influenced by educational reform in 1999, in which the goals of science education are shaped by the notion of scientific literacy. Thai science education emphasizes the scientific…

Global warming and climate change have become hot topics that incite debate, inspire scientific research, and influence international policy. However, the scientific research that provides the past climate and environmental information upon which contemporary environmental change is measured, receives little attention in high school curriculum.…

This study is an experimental introduction of web-based lecture delivery into a majors-level introductory biology course. Web-based delivery, achieved through the use of prerecorded Voice-Over PowerPoint video lectures, was introduced on a limited basis to an experimental section while a control group, with the same instructor, received standard…

In response to pressures to integrate literacy and science learning, an observational, comparative analysis was conducted exploring the added value of blended science and literacy curricula over inquiry-oriented science curricula in two 2nd-grade classrooms (ages seven to eight). Data were collected over ten weeks by the research team, and…

This article examines teachers' perspectives on the challenges of using a science reform curriculum, as well as their learning in interaction with the curriculum and parallel professional development program. As case studies, I selected 4 veteran teachers of 2nd or 3rd grade, with varying science backgrounds (including 2 with essentially none).…

The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the scientific elements of the creationist position, and to provide information and recommendations to educators facing the question of adding creationism to the science curriculum. The claim that creationism is of equal scientific status with evolution is examined in the first part of the…

GRADES OR AGES: Grade 13. SUBJECT MATTER: Physics. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The guide is divided into two parts, each of which contains the same four units. The first part briefly describes each unit; the second part gives a detailed outline of each unit. The guide is offset printed and staple-bound with a soft cover. OBJECTIVES AND…

An advocate of scientific creationism states arguments for its inclusion in the public school curriculum. (MLF)

A scientist states that creationism may have a place in the schools, but as a theological doctrine, not as a scientific theory. (Author/MLF)

Presents survey data of (n=63) chemical engineering curricula. (MKR)

Reports on the Ninth Annual Worcester Polytechnic Institute Conference on Chemical Education that focused on the incorporation of materials science into chemistry courses as examples of chemical phenomena and on the identification of what chemistry a college graduate should possess to work in the area of materials science. (JRH)