There is widespread concern that the United States faces a problem in maintaining its position as the scientific and technological leader in the world and that loss of leadership threatens future economic well-being and national security. Business, science, and education groups have issued reports that highlight the value to the country of…

The mission of the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (CYFS) is to advance the conduct of high-quality interdisciplinary research to promote the intellectual, behavioral, and social-emotional development and functioning of individuals across educational, familial, and community contexts. Central to this is…

This eight-chapter book is intended for use by chemistry teachers, curriculum developers, teacher educators, and other key personnel working in the field of chemical education. The chapters are: (1) "The Changing Face of Chemistry" (J. A. Campbell); (2) "Curriculum Innovation in School Chemistry" (R. B. Ingel and A. M.…

Determining which brand of a product is the best buy for a specific use is the challenge of this Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) unit. The challenge is general enough to apply to many problem-solving situations in mathematics, science, social science, and language arts at any elementary school level (grades 1-8).…

This Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) unit challenges students to find ways to help themselves and/or others adapt to new situations (including school and community facilities). The challenge is general enough to apply to many problem-solving situations in mathematics, science, social science, and language arts at…

This Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) unit challenges students to improve the safety and convenience of a pedestrian crossing near a school. The challenge is general enough to apply to many problem-solving situations in mathematics, science, social science, and language arts at any elementary school level (grades…

In this set of four booklets on collecting data, primary grade students learn how to record data, do an experiment, make an opinion survey, and choose a sample. The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended, long-range investigations of real problems. In most instances students…

In this set of six booklets on collecting data, intermediate grade students learn how to collect good data, round off and record data, do an experiment, make an opinion survey, and choose a sample. The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended, long-range investigations of real…

The Mechanical Engineering Section at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy has developed a comprehensive activity based course to introduce second year students to mechanical engineering design. The culminating design activity for the course requires students to design, construct and test robotic devices that complete engineering challenges. Teams of…

This testimony, supported by data from several national surveys, was presented by Sarah E. Klein (president of the National Science Teachers Association) regarding the elimination of science education from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Issues and topics addressed include: (1) statement of the crisis in science/mathematics education,…

This issue of "Investigations in Science Education" (ISE) provides analytical abstracts, prepared by science educators, of research reports in the areas of preservice and in-service teacher education for elementary and secondary science teachers; and in cognitive development of elementary and secondary school children. Each abstract…

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE RESEARCH STUDIES ARE CATEGORIZED AND DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOKLET DESIGNED FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND CURRICULUM WORKERS. ALTHOUGH MAJOR EMPHASIS OF THE REVIEW IS ON STUDIES PUBLISHED DURING THE 1960'S, OLDER STUDIES OF MAJOR SIGNIFICANCE ARE INCLUDED. A MAJORITY OF THE REVIEWS IS BASED ON REPORTS THAT APPEARED AS JOURNAL…

In recent years educators and educational researchers in the U.S. have begun to introduce engineering design activities in secondary science classrooms for the purpose of scaffolding science learning as well as supporting such general problem-solving skills as decision making and working in teams. However, such curricula risk perpetuating a…

Examines the relative effectiveness of two different chemistry curricula. African American students enrolled in an inner-city high school who took ChemCom, a Science-Technology-Society-based science curriculum employing cooperative learning as an integral component, scored significantly higher gains on a standardized measure of chemistry…

One-third of all U.S. school children attend school in rural settings. Rural schools are much poorer than urban America, with most of the poorest counties in the United States located in rural areas. Equity is a concern not only in terms of race, class, gender, disability, and sexual orientation, but also in terms of being geographically located…