This study, an extension of previous studies, compared the views of freshmen college biology, chemistry, and physics students (N=229) with those of high school seniors (N=437), focusing on: (1) interest in different high school topics; (2) nature of high school laboratory experiences; (3) use of innovative instructional strategies in high school;…

A self-report instrument (questionnaire/reaction scale) was developed and administered to students in grades 9-12 to: (1) determine the number of science courses taken by each grade level; (2) estimate the number of science courses requested for future years and indicate where recruitment efforts would be needed; (3) examine other-directed reasons…

An alternative sociology course is described that links student computer skills with available social survey data. The students, at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, have primarily technical and scientific interests, and the goal of the sociology courses offered is to promote awareness of the social world they will live and work in. Students are…

This issue provides abstracts and analyses, prepared by science educators, of research reports in two areas of investigation. The first, student characteristics, includes three reports which deal with student interests, attitudes, and values. The second, teacher characteristics, also contains three reports. These studies deal with teachers'…

Reviews recent research findings related to sex differences in math and science achievement. Specifically discusses results which point to an apparent decline of math anxiety. (ML)

This booklet describes the DO-IT Pals program, a University of Washington program designed to encourage high school students with disabilities to explore careers in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology and learn more about how to prepare to enter these fields of study and employment. The program provides students with information…

This paper presents the results of a study undertaken in Portugal to determine the influence of different factors on students' (n=499) decisions to study or refuse to study in one of the physical sciences or engineering. Some influencing factors are related to what goes on in school and during science lessons, and other factors are related to the…

Summarizes a study of instruments developed for use in assessing aspects of science curriculum and instruction. (PB)

Describes an education initiative, Putting Children First, in which men and women of the Eastman Chemical Company work with area teachers to provide real-life science experiences for area students. Discusses the beginnings of the program, its implementation, and its current status. Lists services offered by the program. (JRH)

Describes a mouse skeleton reconstruction activity from owl pellets. Gives information about the materials, directions for students, and a five-day unit schedule. Provides some owl pellet sources. (YP)

Discusses the advantages of using discrepant events in elementary school science classrooms in terms of motivation and problem solving skills. Describes the materials, procedures, and reasons behind five discrepant activities. (YP)

Examines the grade-level, gender, and intellectual ability differences in attitude toward science and scientific knowledge. Reports significant differences between average and gifted students in attitude toward being a scientist, usefulness of science, and in knowledge of science. Finds that gender does not have a main effect. (Author/YP)

Identifies the determinants of female junior high school students' intentions to enroll in elective physical science courses in high school using the theory of the Reasoned Action model. Finds that the intentions were a function of both attitude toward performing the behavior and subjective norms. (Author/YP)

Determined changes in attitudes toward science from the end of the first semester to the end of the second semester among 299 seventh-grade life science students in a southeastern urban school system. Results reveal that the average attitude toward science changed from undecided to positive. Significant relationships were found among the…

Sheds light on views held by those who enjoy a certain degree of institutional legitimacy for talking about science either as practitioners in the field of science or as guidance counselors working with students interested in having science-related careers. Contains 60 references. (DDR)