Using Israeli biology matriculation examination results from 1983 and 1984, this article compares the achievement of Arab and Jewish students on the paper and pencil examinations and the practical laboratory examinations. Achievement differences between girls and boys are discussed, as well as the effects of a inquiry-oriented biology curriculum.…

Reports on the analysis of science curricula carried out across Canada within the framework of the Second International Science Study by: (1) describing the background to the study and the research methodology employed; (2) showing how data were organized; and (3) discussing meanings derived from the data analysis. (JN)

Discusses a classroom study that assessed the science achievement of a group of high school students after a full year of geologic instruction. Reports that test scores significantly improved and concludes that geology was an effective science achieving experience for the group tested. (ML)

Provides a brief review of the history of New York's Workshop Center for Open Education as it relates to the science learning of young children. Describes the Center's language enriched inquiry/exploration approach to science education and explains why it is appropriate for non-dominate groups throughout the world. (JDH)

Describes an interdisciplinary nature study course developed by the Problem Group on Education in Bulgaria under the direction of Professor Blagovest Sendov. Addressed to children aged 10 to 12, the project developed a textbook used with student-centered, exploratory teaching methods. (JDH)

For the past three years there has been a decrease in the number of third year girls opting to continue studying physical science at Ellis Guilford school. Various methods to resolve this trend at the school are discussed. They include creating single-sex teaching groups for physics/chemistry and revising physics/chemistry syllabi. (JN)

Describes a chemistry course designed, in cooperation with local public school districts, to intellectually challenge a group of 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students. Organic chemistry and biochemistry are integrated into the course (titled Chemistry and Everyday Life) to emphasize practical applications of chemistry. The course syllabus is included.…

Provides descriptions of representative science-technology-society (STS) instructional materials. Entries include summary, review comments, STS features, STS connections (subject areas emphasized), experts from text, and ordering information. Criteria used to evaluate the materials are included. (JN)

Discusses the experiences and activities of a six-person team of science educators during their six-week stay in Thailand. Also considers the cultural adjustment, sightseeing excursions, teacher education in Thailand, travel preparations, and other topics. (JN)

Describes a course which examines the history and philosophy of the relationship between science and society and applies these concepts to such current issues as sociobiology. Includes course outline, instructional strategies, and bibliography of pertinent books, papers, and lecture notes. (JN)

Presents highlights of a symposium at which industry and academic personnel examined issues related to the training of analytical chemists. Recommendations to improve undergraduate and graduate curricula and comments on how to add content/topics to an already crowded curriculum are included. (JN)

Discusses the role and importance of physics in the engineering curriculum, considering the need for physics knowledge in technology transfer and in preventing architectural disasters. Also discusses preuniversity physics preparation in Saudi Arabia and an optimum engineering physics curriculum, outlining a proposed four-semester physics course.…

Discusses the desirability of offering introductory college chemistry courses in lecture-laboratory sections and in audio-tutorial sections. (SL)

Presented is the second of a two-part article describing the content of secondary level physics courses taught in Hungarian schools. (SL)

Describes a "guided design" instructional method utilized to introduce introductory physics students to decision-making processes and the role such processes play in physics. Guided design involves students in making decisions one step at a time in the solution of an open-ended problem, and is applicable to other disciplines. (SL)