The ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education (SMEAC) screens, abstracts, and indexes a variety of published and unpublished documents in science education. Suggestions for tapping the resources of the ERIC system are provided: computer searches, manual searches, and use of ERIC fact sheets and other materials.…

In-service training of elementary school science teachers, the topic of the United States-Japan Joint Science Seminar held in Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan in 1975, is presented. Program innovations and their relationship to in-service education in the United States and Japan are discussed. The role of Japanese science centers and schools is included in…

Explains a technocratic ideology--providing the future leaders of society--as main theme of school science reform. Describes the historical frameworks of interpretation. Discusses the growth and failure of the reform. (YP)

Designed to serve as a resource for science teachers, kindergarten through college, this publication contains 10 chapters, each focused on a topic of interest to science teachers working in the 1980's. Chapter titles and their authors are: (1) Understanding Science as a Cultural Phenomenon - Mission for the 80's, Drew Christianson; (2) What…

Examines proposition that creationism is legitimate science, including philosophical basis of that claim and methods used to discredit contemporary scientific thought. Discusses creationist's arguments against scientific findings related to second law of thermodynamics, improbability of evolution, earth's age, geological record, fossil transitions…

An in-service teacher training course is described, designed for teachers of a new course in sixth-grade science, and presented partly by mobile teams and partly by radio. Planning of the content and presentation of the teacher training was done by a committee of five teachers and two others. (CTM)

The reform movement in science education as characterized by the development of new science curricula in the 1960s is analyzed in this information bulletin. An overview of the historical context and the financial extent of the movement is presented. Perspectives on the curricula are offered in a question format. The questions include: (1) what did…

Examines current philosophies and approaches to science instruction. Offers parameters for consideration in making science courses more relevant to industry, technology, and society. Contrasts two approaches to science education. (ML)

Focusing on Judge William R. Overton's decision that Arkansas Law 590 (balanced treatment of creationism/evolution) is unconstitutional, explains the legal significance of some of the apparently nonlegal elements of the judge's opinion and discusses features of the strategies employed in the litigation of such issues. (Author/JN)

Discusses salient characteristics of scientific enterprise including laws (natural regularities), explanation and prediction, testability, confirmation, and falsifiability, tentativeness, and professional integrity. Argues that "creation-science" lacks each of these essential characteristics. (JN)

Discusses various legal and scientific issues related to the McLean v. Arkansas 590 (balanced treatment of creationism/evolution), including nature of "creation-science," responses from scientists and lawyers, focus of the plaintiff's case (anticreationism), nature of science, and one example illustrating creationist tendency to use…

Eight addresses given at the Seventh Annual Science Education Conference at Claremont Teachers College in Perth, Western Australia are presented. The general conference theme was "Science Education in the Eighties." In the first paper, four areas of special opportunity for science education in Western Australia (W.A.) are identified:…

Discusses various aspects of science, technology, and the scientific enterprise in the United States, addressing problems (energy, computers, education; engineering, government role, and others) which need to be considered in a world dominated by science and science-based technology. (JN)

One of the goals of science education is to foster critical and scientific thinking skills. However, if the meaning of the terms "thinking critically" or "thinking scientifically" is not clear, these phrases will become vacuous slogans beyond translation in teaching methods and curriculum materials. Therefore, the fundamental aspect of these terms…

Reviews two areas of concern in precollege science and mathematics education: (1) public ignorance of mathematical, scientific, and technological phenomena and (2) shortage of individuals competent and willing to teach science/mathematics. Focusing on the latter, includes comments (with possible solutions) from science educators, politicians, and…