Traces change in conception of gravity in a boy from kindergarten until second grade, focusing on the process by which persons restructure ideas that differ from accepted scientific understandings, and acquire scientific ideas. Provides criteria for defining an alternative conception; suggests how conditions in the initial interview may have…

Educational trends such as problem-based learning, newer understandings of cognition, and performance assessment are challenging the traditional scientific measurement model of evaluation. A new model, termed judgmental model, is emerging. The basic assumptions, features, and uses of the two models are examined in comparison with a third, proposed…

This article argues that by making the general curriculum the reference point for all considerations, the proposals set forth by the President's Commission in "The New Era: Revitalizing Special Education for Children and Their Families," are devoid of all considerations of individual differences. It questions the validity of scientifically based…

This article argues that the popular, but at times, misapplied approaches of person-centered planning can be remedied through scientific practices. It discusses how planners can more effectively achieve today's aspirations for people with developmental disabilities by systematically assessing adherence to the process of person-centered planning…

This article comments on an article (Holburn, 2002), that argues misapplied approaches of personal-centered planning (PCP) can be remedied through scientific practices. It discusses the charge of frequent misapplication of PCP and its widespread adoption and use contrasted to methodological alternatives for evaluating the contribution of PCP. (CR)

This article responds to critiques of a previous article that called for using applied behavior analysis to scientifically evaluate personal-centered planning (PCP). It discusses the need to overcome evaluation obstacles such as inferring internal causation as explanatory, confusing process with outcome, and requiring full consensus on…

Reviews several arguments deployed in favor of promoting the public understanding of science. Examines assumptions embodied in these arguments. An introductory discussion of scientific literacy is given and suggested as being a more appropriate goal because it provides more criteria for assessing the nature and understanding of science. (RT)

Discusses the making of a light engine powered by sunlight or a lamp. Describes the materials and construction method with detailed specifications and diagrams. (YP)

Discusses the use of saline solutions for demonstrations of buoyancy showing oscillations of the Cartesian diver. Describes the physical principles, preparation, and instructional uses for the demonstration. (YP)

Shows the difficulties of understanding the hypothesis a posteriori. Describes a scientific method containing phenomenologic, hypothetic, and theoretic phases. Provides the results of an experiment on simple pendulum oscillation by using this method. (YP)

Eighth graders' ideas about thermodynamics, and their understanding of thermodynamics principles, were assessed before and after they attended a one-semester course on thermodynamics. Results characterized students' views concerning scientific explanations of phenomena, parsimonious versus descriptive explanations, the application of science…

Students experience the distinction between observable fact and scientific theory by taking a critical look at how spaghetti can be sucked up into the mouth. A demonstration shows that air is needed to suck up the spaghetti but that the scientific explanation is not as simple. (MDH)

Contends that cultural contexts determine how science education goals can be met in any particular region. Describes the basic tenets of the nature of science and how these ideas can be incorporated into the Turkish curriculum. Contextual adaptation would include incorporating more hands-on science projects, focusing on scientific literacy skills,…

Describes a study that explored the interplay between students' scientific epistemological views (SEVs) and their learning in school laboratory activities. Finds that students having SEVs oriented to constructivist views of science tend to focus more on negotiating the meanings of experiments with their peers than students with SEVs more in line…

Describes teaching considerations related to the nature of science and scientific knowledge in an elementary-science methods course. Discusses instructional strategies used to develop preservice elementary teachers' understandings of the nature of science and scientific knowledge. Presents the results of these strategies on teacher learning and…