Children may perform computational operations readily when dealing with physical materials, but may have difficulty dealing with representational stimuli (pictures of objects) or symbolic stimuli. Describes and illustrates the function of mediators in moving from physical to representational or symbolic stimuli. (PR)

Seniors in eleven eastern U.S. urban, suburban, and rural secondary schools were surveyed regarding occupational choice, especially engineering, in relation to attitudes about science and non-science courses. Researcher concludes science courses seem to discourage more than they attract career choice. (JM)

This study compared the attitudes toward science teaching and proficiency in the science process skills of elementary education majors enrolled in a physics course v a science methods course. Science process skills appear to be more effectively taught in the physics course. (Author/MK)

Forty-three references concerning research on field trips are cited and annotated. References are grouped into four categories: college, secondary, elementary, and other. (MK)

This article reports a study conducted with fourteen learning-disabled elementary students to determine the growth of achievement and conservation abilities after using the "Sink or Float" unit of the Elementary Science Study. (MK)

Teaching mathematics as one would teach a science course (that is, as a field of intellectual inquiry) is advocated. Four illustrative activities, most appropriate for grades 5-8, are suggested. (MK)

The process skills discussed include: observation; estimation; communication; mensuration; and graph construction and interpretation. Two activities for grade 6 and beyond are suggested. (MK)

The concept of density is discussed. Three activities in which students can determine the density of materials are suggested. (DT)

Describes integrated science and mathematics professional development programs for grades 4-10 science and mathematics teachers designed and implemented at Wright State University over the past five years. Presents evidence of enhanced participant content understanding and pedagogical preparation and discusses specific examples of modified teacher…

The development of students' (n=80) conceptions of matter was investigated. Students' ideas about matter were examined by asking students to verbally explain what matter means and to classify items into matter and nonmatter. A major difficulty is indicated by students regarding the concept of matter. (KR)

This survey indicated that the image of scientists held by liberal studies majors (n=76) planning to become elementary school teachers and biology majors (n=90) was of a white male, wearing eyeglasses and a lab coat, working in a laboratory. This image was held more closely by liberal arts students than by biology majors. (MDH)

Reform efforts have renewed attention to science and mathematics integration and brought to the surface varied definitions of "integrated,""interdisciplinary," and "thematic." In an attempt to clarify the meaning of integration, eight manuscripts are presented that clearly indicate that the inconsistent use of language continues to exist and has…

Presents examples of integrated science, mathematics, and technology teaching in seventh- to ninth-grade classrooms. Several different forms of integration were found in 16 Western Australia schools including thematic, cross-curricular, technology-based projects and local community projects. Discusses several implementation issues including the…

Presents a model for developing theme-based, interdisciplinary, integrated curriculum. Model includes a theme-creation phase and an activity-refinement phase. The integrated continuum model is intended to be used by curriculum developers to facilitate the creation of powerful interdisciplinary lessons. (Author/SJR)

Explores 19 elementary and five middle school in-service teachers who served as regional leaders to provide 13 two- and four-day workshops for 235 inservice teachers using $30,000 worth of instructional equipment in their classrooms. Lead teachers believed this extensive project made a permanent positive impact on the quality and quantity of…