Science teaching environments are social environments, and teachers' emotions interact with their science teaching in powerful ways. To value the teacher is to value the whole person, not just the intellect. In this paper, a theorization of teacher emotion in science teaching is developed which illustrates the role of emotion in establishing and…

This study examines the nature and process of ninth grade students' conceptual change regarding their mental model of dissolution and diffusion as a result of instructions using the Dual Situated Learning Model (DSLM). The dual situated learning events of this model are designed according to the students' ontological viewpoint of the science…

This book contains selected refereed papers from the 21st Annual Conference of the Australasian Science Education Research Association. The papers are as follows: "A Learning Model for Science Education: Developing Teaching Strategies" (Appleton); "Researching Balance between Cognition and Affect in Science Teaching" (Baird et…

Difficulties in students' understanding of the spherical model of the Earth have been shown in previous studies. One of the reasons for these difficulties lies in beliefs and preliminary knowledge that hinder the interpretation of the scientific knowledge, the other reason may lie in the low level of verbal and visuo-spatial abilities. The study…

Identifies and defines the student practice of "fudging" which involves faking, fabricating, or stealing data. Identifies factors contributing to and motivations for this behavior in (n=6) high school students. (Author/MKR)

Investigated children's conceptualization of scientific phenomena and intuitive methods learned from their everyday experiences. Explores the nature of tinkering within the context of electricity. Presents a model of tinkering that provides a conceptual framework for the interpretation of tinkering as one of the methods students use to make sense…

Uses teachers' autobiographies and action research as data sources to present an argument for valuing subjective, reflective knowledge based on Habermas's category of cognitive interest of emancipatory knowing. Explores the process of personal empowerment and proposes a model of change that includes disturbance, alternatives, confidence, and…

Describes and analyzes the role of a teacher's caring and enthusiasm in an inclusive science classroom. Reveals that this teacher's approach focuses on two major ideas: (1) Combining activity-oriented science curriculum with the building of caring relationships in her classroom; and (2) Developing enthusiasm for science and fulfilling students'…

Investigates factors affecting students' ability to consistently apply the concept of adaptations. Individual interviews were conducted with 74 Year 10 students in Australia, of whom only 47% showed an understanding of the concept. It was found that the students were more likely to apply the concept to vertebrates. (AIM)

Argues that the alliance between the government and the scientific establishment has resulted in reforms that do not help future citizens in understanding the complexities of the social relations of science and technology. Presents evidence of a return to a conception of scientific literacy in which the central mythology of value-free science is…

Delivers an account of how curriculum and cultural change was mediated by "educational actors" over the last century, employing pragmatic arguments for reform which drew on the metaphoric power of scientific achievements. Contains 70 references. (Author/DDR)

Describes the activities of two prominent science educators who presided over Australian science curriculum reforms during the 1960s and 1970s. Represents the educators' actions as heroic and describe how the Heroes shaped, modified, and united the culture through referents, rituals, and artifacts. Speculates on the importance of heroic activity…

The paper describes characteristics and analyses difficulties of environmental sciences teachers in mentoring their students in an extended inquiry project, which is a mandatory requirement of the environmental sciences matriculation in Israel. The teachers participated in a professional development program that provided both content knowledge and…

This annual publication contains 43 research papers on a variety of issues related to science education. Topics include the following: mature-age students; teacher professional development; spreadsheets and science instruction; the Learning in Science Project and putting it into practice; science discipline knowledge in primary teacher education;…

Conducted a study (n=26) to test descriptions about learning associated with open-ended design projects and to clarify the notion of ownership of resources and practices. Reports that conceptual and material resources were shared among students and that tool-related practices were appropriated as newcomers participated with more competent others…