This study of classroom discourse and other data from a physical science course for in-service teachers show the areas of success and challenge of the participants in making claims supported by justifications. It also shows that the teachers learned to make scientific claims and were able to make some justifications. Nevertheless, many found the…

Network for Astronomy School Education, NASE, is a project that is organizing courses for teachers throughout the entire world. The main objective of the project is to prepare secondary and primary school teachers in astronomy. Students love to know more about astronomy and teachers have the opportunity to observe the sky that every school has…

Our paper presents an in-service primary school teachers' training program which is based on the idea that the history of science can play a vital role in promoting the learning of physics. This training program has been developed in the context of Comenius 2.1 which is a European Union program. This program that we have developed in the…

This paper reports research from a three-year Australian science teacher professional learning project, the Science Teaching and Learning (STaL) Project, in which groups of science teacher participants (across years K-12) worked with academics over a one-year period as teacher researchers. Through reflecting on their experiences within the STaL…

Describes a theory of metaphor and analogy and discusses its implications for enhancing teacher understanding of scientific inquiry and inquiry teaching at the elementary level. Discusses uses of analogy in classrooms: Scientific Theory, Learning Styles and Modes, Children's Ideas, Generative Teaching Strategies, Graphic Organizers, and…

Teaching is a field that is dynamic, with innovations necessitating upgrading of skills and education of teachers for the successful implementation of reforms. The behaviour and attitudes of teachers towards teaching and learning and their knowledge banks are the result of the impact of in-service training. This study investigated the perceptions…

This report is based on initiatives, investigations, developments and evaluations made over a three year period. The recommendations are made generally to people and organizations who are concerned with the science and mathematics education of young people aged 11 to 16. The intentions of the recommendations were to help teachers and examiners to…

Described is a partnership in North Carolina of an earth-resources company, a university, a geologist, and a public-school science teacher. The partnership has developed a series of content-oriented workshops related to earth-science education. Several of the workshops are described. (Author/RH)

Discusses teacher knowledge of nature of science. Asserts this is aspect of science content knowledge frequently neglected in teacher education. Differentiates between positivism and postpositivism. Describes textbook's role in fostering student misconceptions of nature of science. Suggests students be given chance to carry out their own…

Presents a collection of articles to provide chemistry teachers with resource materials to add forensic chemistry units to their chemistry courses. Topics range from development of forensic science laboratory courses and mock-crime scenes to forensic serology and analytical techniques. (JN)

Describes a qualitative study in which eight elementary school teachers read research articles in children's science and were interviewed. Results fall in three categories: comments relating to the teachers' need to verify the findings of research reports, expressions of self-doubts and questions raised as teachers read the articles, and…

Discusses teacher training in science available from local science museums for elementary school teachers. Includes a list of science museums offering instructional products and services. (FMW)

At the elementary level, when children learn best through hands-on activities, when is the best time to use literacy and make that connection to enhance learning? For teachers involved in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Science Teacher Enhancement Program Unifying the Pikes Peak Region, STEP-uP professional development program for teachers, it is…

Describes tasks necessary for planning and conducting a local science conference. Areas considered include funding, timing, people (including local talent), and publicity. An extensive checklist is provided along with a 14-month timeline. (DH)

Describes a course designed to give high school physics teachers the confidence and the tools necessary to teach physics. This course used traditional high school physics textbooks and followed a typical high school physics course format. (JN)