The futile attempt of a massive school system" to shift with changing moods is illustrated by the swing away from science. Within less than a decade the mood of the schools went from wild enthusiasm about the hard sciences to what might be characterized as a mild distaste for these disciplines and indeed for disciplines of any kind. (Editor)

A consideration of society's expectations from science education, with particular reference to adult education as an environment for the study of such problems. (Author/NL)

This paper describes the use of specially devised multiple-choice objective tests in outlining knowledge acquired before entry into university by newly enrolled physics undergraduates and in determining where gaps occur. (Author)

Analyzes the length of spontaneous reasoning chains exhibited by pupils in primary and early secondary schools. Findings indicate that the reasoning chain lengths may make it difficult for students to handle parts of the science curriculum that involve multistep reasoning processes. Discusses implications for the science curriculum. Contains 11…

Comments on the criticisms of Fensham (2002) of scientific literacy curricula being designed by scientists and science educators. Suggests that an analysis of literacy leads to several propositions from which the analogy with scientific literacy can be drawn. (Author/YDS)

Presents personal experiences of being in the position of interim dean and having to consider faculty, students, and policies. Recommends administrative positions as possible career opportunities for chemistry faculty. (YDS)

Provides an overview of the problems, unanswered questions, proposed solutions, and reform efforts in science education. (ZWH)

Ensuring that students understand the basis behind their geography/science courses is an essential part of their education. This article looks at an inexpensive and rigorous way of teaching students how to develop the needed data for remote sensing work. The procedure shows instructors how to build a system to teach students the process of…

In the past several years, curriculum reform has received increasing attention from educators in many countries around the world. Recently, Taiwan has developed new Science and Life Technology Curriculum Standards (SaLTS) for grades 1-9. SaLTS features a systematic way for developing students' understanding and appreciation of…

The catalogue of conceptions that students are said to have concerning the different topics of the science curriculum is so great that some authors consider this line of research to be exhausted. However, others insist on the need to re-examine students' conceptions in order to better describe them using new theoretical, contexts and research…

Presents a study in which a questionnaire was given to deans at North American medical schools to determine which aspects of evolutionary biology are included in the curricula and the factors that influence this. Suggests that most future physicians should learn evolutionary biology as undergraduates if they are to learn it at all. (Author/NB)