Considers theoretical perspectives on teaching and learning science concepts and ways that such insights can be useful to science teachers in interpreting their pupils' difficulties. (Author/MKR)

Author suggest the current unpopularity of science and technology may, in part, be a result of the nature of current provision--too much technology too soon. Suggests that pure science is what really interests bright teenagers, as well as being the seed of industrial innovation, and should be given a higher profile. (Author/PR)

Draws on a review of literature about the use of formative assessment in the classroom. Provides a brief overview of the evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, of the quality of teachers' classroom-assessment practices. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

Describes an open-ended investigation in which students have to look into a feature of lens performance that is not commonly found in textbook materials on optics. Presents explanations and sample results. (WRM)

Explores the notion of science teachers' professionalism and challenges the beguiling notion of best practice. Argues that science teachers' ownership of their own work imposes on the power of external agencies to effect change. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/ASK)

Describes the barriers that science teachers face in using computers in schools. Shares some methods that have been used to overcome those barriers and suggests some principles that might ensure more effective implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in science. (Contains 16 references.) (Author/ASK)

Describes two novel teaching ideas based on tabards. Discusses a visual aids model on the digestive system, and the uterus and a developing embryo in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. (Author/ASK)

Explores the ideas that students aged 16-19 associate with the terms 'biotechnology' and 'genetic engineering'. Indicates that some students see biotechnology as risky whereas genetic engineering was described as ethically wrong. (Author/ASK)

Discusses the findings of a study of the views of 15 and 16 year-olds on the importance of biodiversity conservation. Reports general disapproval for human economic activities that might threaten wildlife with extinction, although significantly fewer boys than girls held this view. (Contains 16 references.) (Author/YDS)

Updates and extends an article on "Wonder in Science Education" published in 1994. Earlier dimensions identified - wondering 'at' and 'about' - have had wondering 'whether' added. Argues that a new range of questions is brought into the frame by this addition which include basic aspects of values and science. (Author/MM)

Describes the AQA AS-level course 'Science for Public Understanding' and explains its underlying rationale. Shows how a topic-based course can be used to consolidate students' understanding of some scientific explanations and ideas-about-science in a systematic manner. (Author/MM)

Reports the findings of a questionnaire-based study of the experiences of secondary science teachers under the British National Curriculum. Suggests a model for future control of the science curriculum. (Author/CCM)

Outlines the use of modeling in science teaching. Describes a study in which two parallel groups of year seven pupils modeled concepts of cell structure and function as they produced two- or three-dimensional representations of plant and animal cells. (Author/CCM)

Presents the presidential address delivered to the Association for Science Education (ASE) at its annual meeting held at the University of Surrey, January 2001. Consists of three sections: (1) science and engineering and the knowledge economy; (2) teaching challenge and the role of science teachers; and (3) partnerships to support science,…