Investigated the role of "a priori" ideas in planning experiments and data processing leading to inferences. Thirty-one students (ages 11-13) observed a "combustion/candle in a closed container" experiment and were asked to interpret sets of measurements. Findings, among others, show that children preferentially experiment on…

Propositions expressed by students during interviews prior to and after audiovisual instruction served as the basis for Concept Propositional Analysis (CPA) to assess cognitive structure. CPAs for two students are reported and aspects of Ausubelian principles are discussed. The method showed that new learning can be linked to previous…

Determined if listing thoughts evoked after exposure to arguments presented in a two-sided persuasive communication serves to enhance attitude change and if the number of favorable thoughts listed by preservice elementary teachers following exposure to persuasive communication are related to their changed attitudes toward energy conservation. (JN)

Describes the development of six science teaching attitude scales, using the procedures similar to those of the Scientific Attitude Inventory. Included are field test results obtained from the elementary teachers of an inservice summer project. (CC)

Provides educators involved with preservice and inservice training programs with a description of some resources available for sensitizing science teachers to the special needs of handicapped students. Most references have been developed by science teachers who have had direct experiences with these children. (JN)

Related are data concerning principal factors and trends affecting science education in the 1980s, especially in the use of television, other media, and science museums, and in the use of informal, nonschool settings. (CS)

Reviews selected research studies on testing in science education to demonstrate that, although many tests do exist in science education, there are areas needing further development. (CS)

Discussed is Bertha Morris Parker's contribution to elementary school science curriculum in terms of her development of science curriculum, her insights and ideas about elementary school science, and elementary school books she wrote. (DS)

Determines the effectiveness of three small-group teaching methods on the acquisition and retention of seriation abilities, investigates transfer of seriation abilities relative to the treatments, and investigates the relationship between visual and nonvisual seriation abilities involving first graders (N=120). (CS)

Describes the use of interviews with children ranging in age from 6 to 13 to identify patterns of children's beliefs in the area of heat and temperature. Also discusses how this knowledge might be used in an instructional setting. (HM)

Presents a comparison of Thai and American fifth and eighth

Examines the reading level and potential comprehension level of 10 fourth-grade science textbooks. Reports that there is a great deal of variability between and within the science texts. (YP)

Professional development (PD) for primary science teachers is recognized as an important activity which can support improved science education for students. Analysis of interviews with practicing primary science teachers is used to identify the range of PD experiences of a sample of teachers from Western Australia. Teachers' reasons for attending…

Examines the prevailing system for the training of science teachers, particularly for the primary and secondary levels. Outlines the entrance requirements and curriculum for each level. Analyzes the system and offers suggestions for general improvement. (GS)

Gives examples and advantages of various levels of teacher participation in science curriculum development, especially emphasizing Nuffield curricula. (MLH)