Summarizes the main claims of Herrnstein and Murray's "The Bell Curve," discusses the scientific arguments regarding these claims, and presents educational implications of the current state of scientific knowledge. If we fail to recognize the diverse abilities of students lacking high intelligence quotients, we will waste our nation's…

Presents the results of a questionnaire given to 563 elementary students to study their ideas of actions that would reduce the greenhouse effect. Most of the children (87%) appreciated that planting trees would help reduce global warming. During interviews it was discovered that children were confused between the greenhouse effect and ozone layer…

Reports the results of various concepts held by children of different ages dealing with weight, heaviness, gravity, and force. (PR)

Discusses the importance of fostering critical thinking in chemistry. Presents strategies to improve critical thinking that were used in general chemistry for science and engineering majors, a similar course for less-prepared science and engineering majors, and a course for nonscience students. (JRH)

Presents a theoretical model for developing environmental conceptions that incorporate environmental knowledge, attitudes/values, and behavioral orientations. Encourages students to become aware of, challenge inconsistencies in, and make informed decisions regarding their commitment to their own or alternative environmental conceptions. Presents…

Presents an approach that provides a simple and adequate procedure for introducing the concept of rolling friction. Discusses some aspects related to rolling motion that are the source of students' misconceptions. Presents several didactic suggestions. (JRH)

A Texas superintendent debunks six legislative advocacy myths. Actually, superintendents have more political clout than board members. They should work with legislators even when the state legislature is not in session, communicate effectively by telephone, work with "noninfluential" legislators, influence the state education…

Presents the results of a discussion among high school students about what holds up the moon. The question and ensuing discussion enabled students to question their existing ideas, but caused them to be anxious. (DDR)

Defends the position that there is no evidence to support that the Greeks stole their philosophy from Egypt, or that Socrates' ancestors were foreign. Differences between the author's and Bernal's view of Afrocentrism are reviewed, and it is argued that Bernal resorts to emotionally charged words to defend his position of Lefkowitz's "Not Out…

Behavior modification and assertive discipline approaches use rewards and negative consequences (extinction procedures) to deal with students' maladaptive behavior. Behavior modification has significant limitations, as it treats symptoms, not causes; yields only short-term benefits; has limited transfer value for other environments; and values…

Reports on a small-scale investigation of student understanding of moments of forces to provide some indication as to the nature of intuitive ideas in this area. Results of the investigation suggest three stumbling blocks in the conceptual understanding of moment of forces. (Author/ASK)

Focuses on teachers' research in their own classrooms and how teachers make sense of what they see and hear during open-ended technology construction projects. Traces aspects of learning trajectory as a teacher researcher in a year 6 classroom and aspects of improved classroom outcomes. (Contains 41 references.) (Author/YDS)

Questions whether belief in the paranormal is alive and well in preservice teachers. Studies undergraduate preservice teachers' (n=232) reactions to a series of eight statements reflecting paranormal New Age beliefs rated earlier by a faculty panel as "totally unbelievable." (Contains 29 references.) (Author/YDS)

Studies students aged 12 to 14 years (n=217) representing a wide ability range. Analyzes the responses of participants to the dissolution of a solid in both cold and warm water. Findings have implications for the teaching of all science theory but especially for conveying the purpose of models and the process of modeling. (Contains 29 references.)…

Discusses the common misconception persistent in high school and college level introductory biology texts that "dark reactions" of the Calvin cycle actually occur in the dark. Explains that they are indirectly dependent on the presence of light for their activity. (ASK)