Describes the function, management and facilities of the Physics Tutorial Center (PTC) at North Carolina State University. A primary function of the PTC is to provide immediate and individualized response to learning problems identified by the students. The operational philosophy is to guide the student to the solution by asking questions and not…

Lays out an agenda for developing assessment tools and researching their effectiveness. Series of design tasks is proposed, with related research questions. Needed theoretical research includes studies of the effects of alternative assessment on policy and practice as well as the development of new psychometric techniques. Influences of new…

Reports a study of 922 college students that classified the students based on performance on formal operational reasoning tasks. Students were also administered seven logic tasks. Response patterns were analyzed and found to be similar to patterns derived from the multiple-hypothesis theory of advanced scientific reasoning and different from those…

Evaluates a program that encourages elementary school students and their parents to study science in an inquiry-oriented fashion in their own homes. Findings indicate that the program is viewed positively by both the students and their parents, and there are gender and grade-level differences in the student perceptions. (Author/PR)

Reports descriptive study concerning student understanding of isomers. Sample of 7,441 senior high school students completed tests which contained 12 questions on isomerism. Results indicate students are inclined to restrict their concept of isomerism to compounds belonging to the same class. There was no evidence students expected molecular…

Author suggests and discusses the following recommendations to biological educators for improving science education: (1) we must make our case to the public; (2) we must hold ourselves accountable; (3) we must stress the benefits of learning; (4) we must personalize our teaching; and (5) we must make our courses relevant and interesting. (PR)

Presented are the results of a survey of elementary school principals designed to determine whether problem solving and critical thinking skills are an integral part of the science curriculum in elementary schools. Curriculum orientation, amount of problem solving, and problem-solving/higher-order thinking priorities are discussed. (CW)

A national survey of optometry schools (n=10) concerning the status of basic biological science instruction provides insight into manpower, curriculum, learning resources, and budgetary support currently available. Results indicate that major changes must occur and that a national effort will be needed to support them. (Author/MSE)

Summarizes views of 222 British elementary school principals in 2 neighboring local education authorities about 4 aspects of science coordinators' work (curriculum development, resources, assisting other teacher, and responsibilities for teaching decisions). Headteachers believe that coordinators should not influence their colleagues' teaching…

Describes a college reform effort that includes the development of a college science course for nonscience majors. The main goal of the course is to advocate the interdisciplinary nature of all sciences and to involve the students actively in the discovery process as a way of learning science. (ZWH)

Describes the use of a radio telescope to arouse new interest among students. The article partitions into the following sections: (1) Radio Astronomy--Which Level; (2) First Steps: The Site--The Antenna; (3) The Electronics: Do It Yourself, or Store Bought; (4) Field Test: Music of the Spheres; (5) Getting Started: Entry Level Projects; and (6)…

Reports on the findings of a questionnaire developed to determine the extent to which General Certificate of Secondary Education syllabuses affect science curriculum and pedagogic practice in schools in England and Wales. (ZWH)

Discusses how the use of organizing themes can help to convey to students a sense of internal continuity within the discipline of biology and at the same time emphasize to them that viewing the study of biology as merely applied chemistry and physics is inaccurate and overly simplistic. (ZWH)

Some of the underlying values associated with particular beliefs a teacher held about the teaching (and learning) of reading are delineated. Also delineated is how those beliefs changed when the teacher personalized and constructed new visions of her role as teacher through critical reflection. (KR)

Describes how the geology department of Bucknell University integrated its Senior Program with Bucknell's writing program. The program stresses the importance of the following: (1) teaching appropriate writing skills and style; (2) providing clearly articulated writing assignments; (3) writing multiple drafts; (4) using the peer-review method; and…