We share a case study on our use of three reflective questions to demonstrate ways in which simple questions can be coded to reveal rich evidence of impact and engagement. At the end of a three-hour inclusive teaching practices workshop for 23 faculty and administrators from a single science department, 22 participants completed an anonymous…

Polymers are part of our lives; scientists dedicated to polymer science design new materials thinking about more eco-friendly methodologies and satisfying people's needs. In most universities, polymer science is taught by academics associated with the traditional chemistry departments (organic, analytical, physical, and inorganic chemistry). In…

While there is a wealth of research evidencing the benefits of active-learning approaches, the extent to which these teaching practices are adopted in the sciences is not well known. The aim of this study is to establish an evidential baseline of teaching practices across a bachelor of science degree program at a large research-intensive…

This article reports the findings of a recent survey of how often south London secondary schools use local green spaces and parks for teaching science. Comparisons are made between these findings and those reported from a similar study of east London secondary schools in 2006. The article discusses how an external project responded to the needs…

This article describes how the Science Department at Shoeburyness High School in Essex introduced a space-themed year 8 (ages 12-13) science course to increase student engagement and motivation. As well as discussing the rationale for such curriculum change, it describes the processes of planning and resourcing the course, and the barriers that…

Using the insights of the French sociologist, Pierre Bourdieu, this article considers the role of the science department chair in the reform of school science education. Using Bourdieu's "thinking tools" of "field", "habitus" and "capital", we case study the work of two teachers who both actively pursue the teaching and learning of science as…

The idea of teaching physics to ninth-graders, known as "Physics First," has become more and more popular among physics educators in this country. However, introducing ninth-grade physics has been an uphill battle; such a change has a major impact on the students, parents, teachers, and the school administration. Switching to Physics First affects…

In this article we investigate the changing context for teacher professional learning potentially afforded by the conceptual change from professional development to professional learning. Using a narrative case study methodology, we utilize the "Best Evidence Synthesis Iteration" developed by Timperley, Wilson, Barrar and Fung (2007) to analyse…

Describes benefits and sacrifices of an accreditation program to a department. Discusses some negative effects of accreditation on chemical engineering curricula and what might be done to make improvements. (YP)

Relates the impressions of science education gained by a physics professor visiting the People's Republic of China. Observations from two universities in Beijing and Wuhan provide information regarding departmental organization, general teacher preparation, preuniversity education, science teacher preparation, specific physics departments, applied…

Describes college physics courses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Presents honors degree courses, entry requirements, course structure, and further information from 93 colleges in the British Isles. (YP)

Describes college physics courses in Scotland. Presents honors degree courses, entry requirements, course structure, and further information from 15 colleges in Scotland. (YP)

Discusses a biochemical engineering program for undergraduate and graduate students. Describes three university programs including the goals, courses, and problems involved. (YP)

Develops a course which would give students a chance to think critically, be exposed to recent developments including applications to other fields, and be exposed to the general field of the philosophy of science. Provides a course outline, required and referenced textbooks, and selected journal articles. (YP)

Describes self-evaluation techniques used to evaluate a British eight-form, entry, 11-18 comprehensive school's science department. The evaluation was conducted after the author completed an inservice course on self-evaluation of science departments. The course was based on a book "Decisions in the Science Department: Organization and…