Described is a concerns-based elementary science methods course, the design of which has been influenced by work done by Fuller on the concerns of teachers. The three phases of the Teacher Concerns Model are "Concerns About Self,""Concerns About Teaching Tasks," and "Concerns About Impact on Children." This model and…

The understandings of properties that children develop in the context of rock and mineral identification point to the challenges of observing in a manner authentic to the discipline of geology. The notebook entries of 34 third graders written during the enactment of a commercial unit on earth materials were investigated for their descriptions of…

Described is a pilot program initiated at Purdue University and designed to provide experiences for prospective elementary teachers in which scientific knowledge was presented in an inquiry manner. A goal of the project is a three-year escalating, prospective elementary-teacher involvement with elementary children. (Authors/PEB)

The purpose of this developmental study was to use the theory of reasoned action to construct a message to persuade elementary teachers to teach energy conservation practices to children. The six steps followed in the project are discussed. An energy conservation persuasive message and the results of the validation are provided. (YP)

Examines whether elementary school children's cognitive achievement in science process skills increases significantly because of teacher training in the Individualized Science (IS) materials. Investigates the effects of teacher training in the IS materials on teachers' attitudes and skill achievement. (GA)

Reports on a classroom technique (social interaction) for improving fifth-grade students' performance in the task domain of controlling variables. The technique involved asking students why something happened, asking for justification/evidence, suggesting alternative explanations and asking for evaluation of the same, and accepting explanation…

Results of a national survey to determine state certification requirements for elementary school teaching were analyzed to determine the amount of science content required. Very few states appear to be mandating sufficient science training to ensure that elementary school teachers are prepared to teach science. (PB)

Focuses on the relationships of the teacher's affective attributes, concerning both interest and attitude, and measures of teaching behaviors of elementary grade preservice teachers (N=148) consistent with instructional methodology of the SCIS curriculum. Results include a confirmation that a field-oriented treatment yields significant changes in…

"For seven to nine year old children, it is easier to conserve weight on plasticine rather than on a rubber band or on alcohol in a thermometer . . . Boys perform significantly better than girls." (Author/AL)

Describes an inservice training program for elementary and junior high school teachers that sought to enhance teachers' knowledge of physical science and skills of science instruction. Presents test data on participants' knowledge of science content, attitudes toward science, and beliefs about science teaching. (ML)

Describes the development, revision, and partial validation of an instrument to assess preservice elementary teachers' process orientation toward science. Suggests that the Process Orientation Toward Science Scale (POTSS) be used as a diagnostic measure of preservice elementary teachers' process orientation toward science and understanding of the…

Determined if a written, persuasive communication would positively affect the attitudes of preservice teachers (N=98) and if the communication would differently affect subjects rated on three levels of self-esteem. Results indicate written persuasive communication could change the attitudes of the preservice elementary teachers in this study. (JN)

Evaluates a new course for prospective elementary teachers entitled Basic Science Skills, designed to give students background in science, to show use of science materials and methods, and to promote positive attitudes toward science and science teaching. Math anxiety is suggested as a confounding factor in interpreting the results. (CS)

This case study describes a teacher's development of and creativity in manipulating physical models in an astronomy course for in-service science teachers of K-8. Specifically, she organized a data table from several charts of numbers, constructed a moon-ball model in addition to a 2-D model, and created a hula hoop model as a concrete realization…

Examined the effects different communicators (science methods instructors, supervisors, graduate assistants, and others) had on the attitudes of 25 elementary education majors toward science and science teaching, focusing on which communicators were perceived as being the most credible. (DH)