This paper reports on a part of a study of factors that contribute to science anxiety and science teaching self-efficacy among preservice primary and early childhood teachers. The experience and beliefs of primary and early childhood preservice teachers at an Australian University were explored in an ethnographic research tradition. In all, 366…

The main objective of this study was to explore the experiences of two novice elementary school teachers for factors related to self-efficacy and motivation to teach science. The experiences were analyzed for evidence of: (1) successful performance, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and emotional arousal as contributors to the development…

Focuses on the behaviors and experiences of beginning teachers as they face the task of teaching science on a regular and extended basis for the first time. Finds that experiencing success appeared to be a major contribution to effective science teaching by beginning teachers. (Contains 31 references.) (WRM)

The implementation of effective science programs in primary schools is of continuing interest and concern for teacher educators. Recent Australian national initiatives have been designed to foster the teaching of science in primary schools. At the provincial level in Queensland, decisions concerning the planning and introduction of a new primary…

This paper reports on the effects of an intervention program designed to develop cognitive and affective skills for the study of science by students undertaking a preservice elementary teacher education course. Previous research has indicated that a high proportion of students coming into this course have had negative experience in their previous…