Uses science fiction films such as "Jurassic Park" or "Anaconda" to teach science concepts while fostering student interest. Advocates science fiction as a teaching tool to improve learning and motivation. Describes how to use science fiction in the classroom with the sample activity Twister. (YDS)

Describes a three-day classroom activity combining criminal investigations and scientific skills, especially observation skills. Provides detailed classroom procedures with an illustration of eight basic fingerprint patterns and a classification chart. (YP)

Describes an inexpensive chemistry outreach program offered by graduate students to high school students. Lectures, color slides, demonstrations, and discussions were used. (YP)

Introduces three laboratory exercises which develop an understanding of principles of mechanics by using examples of bicycle operation: Newton's laws, statics and dynamics, and energy relationships. Describes related theory and laboratory procedures with diagrams and pictures in each exercise. (YP)

Discusses instruments for measuring interest in biology: "Interest in Science Topics"; "Learning Mode Preference"; "Interest in Scientific Activities"; "Activities Motives Inventory"; "Interest in Social Aspects of Science"; "Career Orientation Inventory"; and "Attitude toward Biology Study." Concludes that interest in biology may be…

Investigated are the reasons why eleventh-grade Israeli students intend to enroll for a biology, chemistry, or physics course. Topics, activities, motives, attitudes, and grades in the subjects in year 10 are used as predictor variables for correlational analysis. (YP)

Discusses statistics that indicate an increase in minority participation in Advanced Placement Program classes. Minority students' scores have also improved, allowing them to qualify for course slots at colleges. The implications of minority students' newfound fascination with technological studies is discussed. (JS)

Explored the relation of self-efficacy beliefs to inventoried vocational interests in 70 science and engineering students in a career planning course, using the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory and measures of perceived ability to complete the educational requirements of science and engineering fields. Findings indicated significant correlations…

Describes the use of the polygenic trait of total fingerprint ridge count in the classroom as a laboratory investigation. Presents information on background of topic, fingerprint patterns which are classified into three major groups, ridge count, the inheritance model, and activities. Includes an example data sheet format for fingerprints. (RT)

Investigates students' experiences and attitudes about experiences in biology and human biology courses. Finds that activities which require imaginative abilities are often lacking, and notetaking and simple recall are major features of the students' experiences. Discusses some suggestions regarding these courses. (Author/YP)

This paper is the third report on the changes in attitudes and interests of Danish upper secondary school students. It describes changes in student interests and attitudes and the main problems encountered in causing change. Recommendations to science educators are included. (YP)

Describes a science fiction writing project for ninth-grade physical science classes. Provides some examples of science fiction stories written by the students. Selects grammar, punctuation, science content, sentence structure, and originality as the criteria of grading. (YP)

Describes an activity on charting 6th and 7th grade students' ideas about a potential science project. Summarizes a five week project on creating a new ride or redesigning existing rides in an amusement park, including research and sketches, final drawings, models of rides, and class presentations. (YDS)

Reports on a study of the attitudes of South Australian primary school students toward science. Finds that overall interest in studying science has decreased since a similar study was performed in 1980. (Contains 22 references.) (Author/WRM)

Investigates the effects of instruction and achievement on science question level for high and low science topic interests. Finds that students who received instruction in researchable questioning outperformed those who were not instructed, and that high achievers in mathematics, reading, or science outperformed low achievers. (Contains 41…