Describes the changes and trends in elementary school science in Great Britain. Discusses the justification for the development of programs at the elementary school level and some of the essentials of good practice. Indicates some of the myths about elementary science and provides guidelines for progressing from elementary to secondary science.…

In part 1 (SE 532 193) an outline of Ausubel's learning theory was given. The application of the theory to elementary school science is addressed in this part, clarifying what elementary science means and indicating how it relates to what may be expected to be already known by elementary school children. (Author/JN)

Describes water-related activities in an elementary school science project. These activities focus on electric generators, rainfall, erosion, floating, water conservation, and other areas. Brief comments on developing such a project are included. (JN)

Describes water-related activities in an elementary school science project. Activities focus on mini aquaria, permanent aquaria, water toys, sea power, imagination, and village ponds. (DH)

Details an 'explanatory Earth story' on plate tectonics to show how such a 'story' can be developed in an earth science context. Presents five other stories in outline form. Explains the use of these stories as vehicles to present the big ideas of science. (DDR)

Discusses problems which act against adoption of systematic science study in elementary schools. Also discusses a research project aimed at developing a model of in-service training and curriculum development in elementary science on a catchment area basis which attempts to address the problems and issues cited. (Author/JN)

Reports and discusses observations of three confident, experienced teachers organizing investigative science in their classrooms. The teachers wore microphones and the recorded data coupled with field notes formed a record of what happened that could be negotiated with the teachers. (DDR)

Explains how games can be used to stimulate interest and aid conceptual understanding. Focuses on working with Year Six children and simulation exercises designed to support understanding of feeding relationships and food chains. (DDR)

Surveys factors which may contribute to problems in elementary school science, including among others, teacher attitudes, teacher preparation, learning styles, and inaccessibility of most scientific literature to individuals without formal training in science. Offers possible solutions to these problems. (JN)

The fair test is predominately used by primary teachers participating in a science-education project with King's College London. Debates whether this level of use of fair test investigations is appropriate. (DDR)

This issue is divided into three sections: (1) Activities in Britain; (2) Overseas and International Activities; and (3) News. Numerous topics of interest to secondary school science and mathematics education pertaining to British education are presented. Included are reports on meetings, college programs, educational research, and educational…

Investigated effectiveness of teaching one element of a science syllabus using drama in place of conventional practical work. No statistically significant differences were detected in factual recall, but significantly more "meaningful" learning appeared to have taken place when drama was used. Psychological and educational implications…

This report presents the methodology and findings of a national survey of the performance of approximately 9,000 11-year-old children in science. Performance was assessed in six categories: (1) symbolic representation (reading information from graphs, tables, and charts); (2) use of apparatus and measuring instruments; (3) observation; (4)…

Analyzes observations of primary students in a small Interactive Science Centre using a model of play, practice, and problem solving derived from a range of literature. Identifies features of the creative phase of the activities. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Reports the results of a survey sent to 50 Yorkshire primary schools that focuses on ponds and how they are planned, constructed, used, and managed. (DDR)