Determined that graphic organizers are effective in increasing the achievement of sixth-grade (N=235) and seventh-grade (N=220) middle school students who used the organizers. Reasons why the graphic organizer enhances student learning and is an effective and practical teaching strategy are also discussed. (JN)

The use of actographs for studying animal activity is discussed. Described are running recorders for rodents, perching and feeding recorders for birds, and tilting box recorders for studying the movement of reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. (CW)

Described are some of the difficulties presented in these reactions by competing equilibria that are usually ignored. Situations involving acid-base equilibria, solubility product calculations, the use of ammonia as a complexing agent, and semiquantitative comparisons of solubility product values are discussed. (CW)

Reviews research on the purpose and effectiveness of laboratory activities. Discusses epistemology, problem solving, cooperative learning, student involvement, assessment, and teachers as researchers. (YP)

Described is physics education in Australia at the secondary level. Its origins based on British traditions and the influence of American thought and practice on its development are discussed. Implications for the future are examined. (YP)

Examines the public's lack of understanding and interest in science. Places much of the blame on the perception of science as a dense yet pristine discipline divorced from everyday concerns. Criticizes the concept of science as independent of social construction and argues for instruction emphasizing relationships between science and society. (MJP)

This study aimed to develop and validate a problem-based learning environment inventory which would help teachers and researchers to better understand student views on problem-based learning environments. The development of the inventory included the following four steps: Item Formulation; Content Validation; Construct Validation; Reliability…

This study used baseline data from the Southwest sample of the Latino Acculturation and Health Project to examine whether familism and cohesion are related to problem behaviors in a sample of Mexican and Mexican-American adolescents in the Southwest United States. This study is important to practitioners and prevention and intervention researchers…

Intellectual mastery of nature was the stated goal of the German physicists of the nineteenth century. In this first of two volumes, an attempt is made to bridge social, institutional, and intellectual history. Separate sections of the book deal with: (1) establishing physics at the universities; (2) German physicists before 1830; (3) promoting…

Environmental education provides an interdisciplinary approach to connect various curriculum areas, such as science, mathematics, social studies, and reading. This study sought to discover if intermediate grade students who had instruction in environmental education were more positive toward the school curriculum than those who have not. Fourteen…

This paper is based on the work of Thomas Kuhn, a physicist turned philosopher and historian of science. In his book, "The Structure of Scientific Revolution," he posited a new concept of the nature and history of science and strongly criticized the current textbook tradition of science education. This study analyzed Kuhn's concept of…

Questions the differences between computer science and computer engineering. Reviews the body of knowledge pertaining to both fields. Asserts that they are essentially the same, and that computer science is a genuine intellectual discipline. (TW)

Discusses the importance of implementing new approaches in science teaching which will elevate citizen concerns to science-related issues confronting society. Outlines a biology application course designed to counteract current problems in this area. (RT)

The results of surveys of biology staff and students at Scottish universities concerning attitudes to the use of animals in education are reported. Discussed are survey methods used, the results of each survey, and bioethics in general. The staff and student questionnaires are both included. (CW)

Reports on students' attitudes toward reading science during an experimental study that investigated ways to increase comprehension of technical material. Describes the procedure, results, conclusions, applications, and implication. (RT)