Discusses the need to update the content, philosophical stance, and pedagogy of marine education to reflect recent advances in these areas. Cites some developments in oceanography and ocean engineering. Proposes ways teachers can learn about and utilize this knowledge. (RT)

Considers the characteristics of beaches, rocky shores, coral reefs, and kelp forests. Discusses plants and animals that live in these habitats. Activities include life between the tides, reef buddies, sea forests, seaside adventure, and four copycat pages. (RT)

Examines the philosophical basis for the development of authoritarian views in science education curricula. Argues that the deliberation of science curricula should address humanistic and societal issues as well as fact. Suggests that such deliberation requires a broader spectrum of individuals who involve themselves in the development of…

Describes a program developed by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) which includes an engineering/science outreach program designed to enrich the science experiences of fifth and sixth grade students and encourage them to aspire to careers in scientific and technological fields. (TW)

Identifies pattern recognition as one problem-solving behavior which should be taught to upper elementary and middle school mathematics and science students. Advocates a team-teaching approach with mathematics and science teachers and a learning center in a corner of the classroom. Gives examples of how software could be used. (CW)

Science education should be effective as "Science for All" but the science curriculums introduced in the 1960s and 1970s were inadequate and only served a science "elite" while teaching the majority of students that science was not for them. Science must be reexamined and curriculum developers should emphasize exciting examples and everyday…

Describes a simple field trip taken by fourth-grade students to a local park. Aided by volunteers, students go through four learning stations dealing with rock studies, tree identification, following directions (mapping), and observation skills. Presite and postsite activities are discussed. (TW)

Reports on a study to extend the concurrent and predictive validity of the Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument by including a sample of middle school science teachers. The validity criteria for the study involved observing student engagement and integrated process skill achievement. (TW)

Describes a study designed to develop a systematic procedure for constructing a valid Likert attitude scale. Discusses the 15-step procedure that was produced. Reviews the resulting development of an instrument designed to test the attitude of teachers toward the use of microcomputers in the classroom. (TW)

Describes 26 different activities, experiments, demonstrations, and computer simulations in various topics in science. Includes instructional activities dealing with mural ecology, surface area/volume ratios, energy transfer in ecosystems, electrochemical simulations, alternating and direct current, terminal velocity, measuring the size of the…

Describes an interdisciplinary, ornithology unit suitable for grades 4-6. Art, mathematics, language arts, and social studies activities require approximately 2 weeks to complete. An annotated list of six references is included. (JN)

Presents a position statement on preparation of middle/junior high school science teachers. Areas addressed include: preparation in science content; science teaching methods; field experiences and student teaching; faculty preparation; facilities, equipment, materials; and professional orientation. Recommended standards (intended to provide a…

Examines the mastery learning model as proposed by Carroll and Bloom in the context of science instruction, addressing issues related to classroom application. Discusses expected results of implementing mastery learning and its impact on students and teachers, recognizing the additional burden on teacher time required by mastery learning…

National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) members (N=101) responded to a 1979 survey, listing 398 statements of needed research. Three categories of needed research emerged as the greatest concern of these NARST members: instructional strategy, learning, and student/teacher attitudes. (Author/JN)

Reviews various factors of articulation within and between middle and secondary schools and suggests three approaches to solve articulation problems: (1) early and frequent evaluation; (2) establishing a positive social climate; and (3) extending science content using, for example, an interdisciplinary approach. (SK)