Discusses marbleized paper, which originated in Japan in the eighth century and became quite popular in Europe and the United States in the nineteenth century. Describes the scientific process behind marbleization, and explains how students can produce their own colorful designs by placing a sheet of paper on top of oil-based paints floated in a…

This activity is more concerned with illustrating the process of scientific discovery than with astronomy. Students are involved in observing the Moon and noting the simultaneous location of the Sun. A manual with observation log and diagrams is provided. Requires no special equipment and takes a discovery learning approach. (LZ)

Activities involving concave rubber disks are utilized to illustrate the scientific principles of kinetic and potential energy. Provides teacher instructions and questions related to the activity. (MDH)

Beliefs about science and religion held by students (n=44), teachers (n=10), and clergy (n=4) in a Lutheran secondary school in Australia were assessed via survey and interview. Participants' views of the relationship between science and religious beliefs were complex. Concludes that traditional science programs do not adequately address the range…

Describes the personal thoughts, or everyday thinking, of high school science students about a question relevant to science: What is Nature? Finds that a rich breadth of perspectives typically characterized any one student's discussion of Nature, though the level of science integration within everyday thinking remained low. Contains 116…

Considers the ways in which students' activities during project work are influenced by their images of science. Finds that the concept of "epistemic demand" may help in anticipating difficulties students might have during science project work, and that students' images of science are developed as a result of implicit and explicit…

Argues that citizens need to recognize that science is a human social activity like any other. Calls for socially responsible science and a public mindful of its strengths and weaknesses. Explores two case studies of public construction of knowledge about controversial health-related issues to illustrate the problematic nature of public…

Redefines "Jensenism" in terms of the personal qualities and beliefs that have made Jensen a researcher of note, including tackling controversial topics with empiricism. Illustrates these aspects of "Jensenism" by recounting personal experiences with Jensen and his research. (SLD)

In addition to establishing the relationship between reaction time (RT) and intelligence, Jensen has explored the role of intraindividual variability and its genetic basis. Jensen's theories blend facts from behavioral research on RT with neurological events. (Author/SLD)

Examines the role of empirical evidence in the interpretation of psychological and epistemological aspects of Piagetian theory. Concludes that Galileo's method of idealization has important implications for the construction of a neo-Piagetian epistemological theory. Contains 35 references. (Author/WRM)

Develops a history and philosophy of science framework based on a rational reconstruction of experimental observations that led to the Millikan-Ehrenhaft controversy, and evaluates 31 chemistry books for coverage of the controversy. Finds that most books lacked a history and philosophy of science perspective and did not adequately address several…

Argues that science students should be taught to acknowledge the parallel structure of knowledge and belief, and recognize that science requires a presuppositional foundation that is itself not verifiable in order to reintroduce a valuable discussion on the meaning of science and its impact on life. (Contains 87 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes a high school biology curriculum designed to give students opportunities to learn about genetic inquiry in part by providing them with authentic experiences doing inquiry in the discipline. (Contains 29 references.) (Author/WRM)

Discusses the issue of teaching evolution to middle and high school students and parent objections to this matter. Describes a curriculum resource book entitled "Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science" that was written for parents, teachers, and community leaders and is endorsed by the National Academy of Science's Center for Science,…

Argues that there is a sense of mystery that lies at the core of science. Recounts some experiences that reinforce this view and points out that science does not need a "sugar coating" for students to appreciate the subject. (DDR)