Developing and updating subject knowledge is an important and ongoing area of professional development. As well as formal subject-specific CPD, teachers can extend their pedagogical subject knowledge by researching and using curriculum materials. This article reviews the resources available from the National STEM Centre eLibrary to help teachers…

As part of the "scientific literacy" debate, a survey of the balance of science stories in the media was undertaken by reviewing UK newspapers late in 2011. The survey found a preponderance of health/medical stories (50%+) and many stories relating to environment/ecology. The percentage of other biology stories and of stories related to…

The Association for Science Education (ASE) has a proud history of responding positively to changes in the education system. The creation of ASE INSET Services was one such response, resulting in an organisation that in its 16 year lifetime engaged in an impressive range of activities and had an impact on the professional development of tens of…

Psychiatric disorders such as drug addiction represent one of the biggest challenges to society. This article reviews clinical and basic science research to illustrate how developments in research methodology have enabled neuroscientists to understand more about the brain mechanisms involved in addiction biology. Treating addiction represents a…

Charts some of the landmarks in the tortuous path towards science becoming an established part of primary education over the last 100 years. While ideas and practices have come and gone, overall there has been real change in the status and quality of teaching and learning in science. (Contains 32 references.) (Author/ASK)

Discusses some of the major research in science education published during the last 10 years in order to raise some of the methodological issues involved. Illustrates the progress that has been made along the path toward a science of teaching science. (CW)

Research concerning the role of stratospheric ozone and the effect of chlorofluorocarbons on stratospheric ozone are discussed. The consequences of global ozone depletion are projected. The Montreal Protocol is reviewed. (CW)

Discussed is the use of student perception instruments in the evaluation of teachers and teaching. The development and testing of an instrument is presented. An example of feedback to science student teachers from this instrument is given. (CW)

Reviews the history of the Association for Science Education (ASE) and its predecessors on the occasion of its centenary. Discusses its involvement in the general science movement and later curriculum development projects, both to illuminate the political history of ASE and raise issues that still have currency today. (Author/ASK)

Explores some of the impacts of theory--philosophical and sociological but mostly psychological--on the development of science curricula and the practice of science teaching. Concludes that there is now a greater recognition of the need for theoretical justifications for change and theory-led research into what works and, above all, why it works.…

Pattern changes in science education are analyzed for the years 1962-77 in relation to pure science subjects studied by students. Numbers are analyzed of boy/girl entrants involved in (1) a balanced science course and (2) at least one pure science subject. (CS)

Asks whether what is taught in science class only makes sense to someone who already understands science. Discusses school science in terms of four questions: (1) What is to be taught?; (2) What conditions promote learning?; (3) What do students learn?; and (4) What are the cognitive processes in learners' minds? (Contains 17 references.)…

Examines the situation of science teaching against the characteristics generally thought to constitute professionalism from the mid-19th century to the present. Focuses particularly on pre-service education and training. Discusses the aspect of professionalism involving control over practice in parallel with questions of knowledge and training.…

Challenges some commonly-held beliefs about what primary children can and cannot learn about astronomy. (Contains 16 references.) (Author/WRM)

Discusses key areas in science that require students to have a well-developed sense of numeracy for full understanding. Suggests that some of the difficulties students have with numeracy arise from not distinguishing between the teaching of facts and skills and teaching through conceptual understanding. Makes some recommendations for correcting…