Motivation helps drive students to success in general chemistry, and active learning environments with social interactions has consistently shown to improve motivation. However, analyzing student outcomes in an interactive environment is best done by considering students not as isolated units but as working together and influencing each other.…

This collected papers dissertation explores students' academic interactions in an active learning, introductory physics settings as they relate to the development of physics self-efficacy and interest. The motivation for this work extends from the national call to increase participation of students in the pursuit of science, technology,…

We report on a multiyear study of student attitudes measured with the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey in calculus-based introductory physics taught with the Modeling Instruction curriculum. We find that five of six instructors and eight of nine sections using Modeling Instruction showed significantly improved attitudes from pre-…

Math experts developed Formative Assessment Lessons that teachers can incorporate throughout the year's curriculum. Both tools target the "instructional core." A study by Research for Action (RFA) examining the first year of piloting the Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) and Math Design Collaborative (MDC) tools (2010-11) found…

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE NATURE OF SCIENCE IS EMPHASIZED THROUGH A FOCUS ON CHEMICAL REACTIONS. SIMILARITIES OF THE REACTIONS OF THE HALOGENS WITH THE ALKALI METALS OF LITHIUM, SODIUM, POTASSIUM, AND HYDROGEN ARE INTRODUCED TO THE STUDENT. STUDENTS ARE INTRODUCED TO THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS WHICH EMPHASIZES THE ORGANIZATION OF CHEMICAL…

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY WAS CONDUCTED ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN COGNITIVE APTITUDES AND VARIED INSTRUCTIONAL TREATMENTS (TEACHING MATERIALS AND TEACHER METHODS) TO DETERMINE IF LEARNING DIFFICULTIES COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY MINIMIZED BY ALTERING THE CONTENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL TREATMENTS TO FIT THE COGNITIVE APTITUDE PATTERNS OF INDIVIDUAL LEARNERS. THE…

On a recent visit to Murmansk, Russia to explore collaborative possibilities between the University of North Florida and Murmansk State Pedagogical University (MSPU), two educators jumped at the chance to visit a local kindergarten. As a former kindergarten teacher, one was curious to see how this kindergarten varied from what she had experienced…

Provides a glimpse of a few schools who have exemplary project-based environmental education programs. Speculates as to how such programs will contribute to scientific literacy in the future. Focuses on elementary and secondary schools in Kentucky, Maryland, and Florida. (DDR)