Reported is a summary and review of more than 400 research reports published in 1986. The review is organized into four sections: (1) Teaching and the Teacher; (2) Learning and the Learner; (3) Curriculum and Instruction; and (4) Instrument Development and Analysis. Sections include overview, discussion of the studies, and implications for…

This document provides preschool teachers with activities intended to help children better understand the world around them. The introductory section of this book includes papers focusing on the cognitive development of the preschooler, encouraging the integration of science into the early childhood curriculum, promoting multisensory science…

The intent of this yearbook is to provide a positive posture for nurturing desirable changes in the status of science teaching. It is written for elementary school teachers and all who are involved or concerned with curriculum and instruction in the elementary school. The yearbook provides the basis for continued professional growth of teachers by…

This publication reviews the literature pertaining to teacher education in, about, and for environmental education. The first section includes the definition, goals, and objective of environmental education. The second section summarizes the recent and current status of environmental education in elementary and secondary schools in the United…

Advances in science and technology, information in philosophy and psychology, and changes in society have placed different demands on science education than was the case in the 1960's. Post-Sputnik era curricula in science were organized to reflect the structure of the discipline and were aimed primarily at encouraging students to pursue science…

Presented in nine separate chapters are nine studies involving the direct observation of science classrooms. Eight of the nine chapters are based on qualitative data collection techniques which typically aim for depth of insight and understanding. Studies included are: "Critical Barriers to the Understanding of Elementary Science: Learning…

Presented are abstracts and abstractors' analyses of nine studies related to curriculum and instruction. These studies focused on: (1) the status of environmental education in Kansas; (2) attitudes of Israeli students toward two versions of a curriculum titled Agriculture as Environmental Science; (3) interrelationships among teacher intentions,…

This review covers 422 studies of the following types: reports prepared for scientific organizations, dissertations, journal articles, research papers, and papers presented at conferences. The studies have been organized into one of seven clusters for analysis and discussion. They are: (1) learning and instruction (summarizing studies related to…

Abstractor's analyses of science education research studies are presented in this issue of Investigations in Science Education. The first group of studies relates to research on teacher education (priority of perceived needs common to science teachers and how these might be used to develop inservice programs, determining the level of awareness and…

Presented is a compilation of papers focusing on new questions and new directions for research in science education. Papers are grouped into one of three related fields of research: (1) analysis of curriculum materials, especially science textbooks; (2) investigations of science understandings of students and experts; and (3) investigations of the…

Four science education fact sheets are presented and focus on: (1) creationism vs. evolution; (2) science careers; (3) science activities for special students; and (4) the role of the laboratory in science teaching. The first fact sheet was prepared to assist teachers, curriculum coordinators, and others in dealing with the teaching of evolution…

This critical review synthesizes information related to the use of the laboratory in science programs. Several approaches to the use and/or role of the laboratory in science teaching are presented, including historical and research perspectives, opinion statements, a review of current research, and suggestions for future research. Concluding…

As the nation pursues the goal of becoming first in the world in science achievement among students, many are advocating an instructional approach that emphasizes activities and learning by doing. Instructional approaches in science education that involve activity and direct experience have become collectively known as hands-on science. This…

In 1986, a total of 11 different populations involving more than 1000 schools and more than 20,000 students participated in the Second IEA Science Study (SISS). This digest discusses findings related to curricular patterns and student outcomes. Ratings were done at grades 5, 9, and 12, to ensure that the achievement tests reflected the science…

Assessment of student performance is emerging as a crucial ingredient in the recipe for ongoing improvement of school science. This digest focuses on assessment in the service of instruction, for helping students, teachers, and parents monitor learning. According to M. Jorgensen, performance-based assessment requires that the student demonstrate,…