The K-8 Early Implementers Initiative has found that careful planning is critical. With thin planning, unexpected detours or dead ends are likely. However, with solid planning, districts are more likely to achieve their implementation goals and may discover some express lanes for their implementation journey. This evaluation report documents…

The purpose of this article is to suggest a research-based systemic plan for educational researchers, practitioners, and policymakers involved in the change process to implement successful technology integration in the context of teacher education. This article provides a background about reform efforts in science education in the United States in…

This book shares the lessons learned by a large community of educational researchers and science teachers as they designed, developed, and investigated a new technology-enhanced learning environment known as WISE: The Web-Based Inquiry Science Environment. WISE offers a collection of free, customizable curriculum projects on topics central to the…

One of the major goals of science reform today is that of scientific literacy for all students. In recent years there has been an increased awareness of the need to incorporate science firmly throughout the elementary curriculum to insure that this goal of scientific literacy is met. This book offers a new vision for preparing prospective teachers…

Discusses the national, area, and school policies to improve elementary school science and technology. Describes the development procedures, content, and evaluation of the school policy. (YP)

This digest focuses on the impact of the educational reform movement on science education. Topics reviewed are: (1) "What is the message of educational reform?"; (2) "What changes have occurred?" listing increasing graduation requirements and lengthening schooling; (3) "Have educational reform efforts improved…

Presented is a criticism of Lawson's (1988) article on the development of misconceptions of biological concepts. Lawson's response to this criticism follows. (CW)

Reviewed are interpretations of the term scientific literacy. Implications of these interpretations for science education are examined. Assessment and practical concerns for meeting these goals are discussed. (CW)

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two instructional approaches on mildly handicapped and nonhandicapped students' science achievement. Students were assigned at random to one of two conditions: (1) direct instruction; and (2) discovery teaching. The content of the lessons remained constant across conditions and focused…

This report is a policy statement for science curriculum and instruction in elementary schools. It describes a set of organizing principles that incorporate what science ought to be taught, and a learning sequence that illustrates how more "hand-on, minds-on" science can become more prevalent in our schools. Chapters included are: (1)…

Many recognize the need for an adequate environmental education in the United States. The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 was designed to give federal support to the establishment of an Office of Environmental Education and other support for environmental education. This hearing includes testimony from John H. Chafee, U.S. Senator…

Editorially reviews the history of reform in science education from the 1920s to 1983. Highlights agreement among the various reports. Specifies the role of chemistry education in science reform. Announces a new book from the National Research Council, "Opportunities in Chemistry, Today and Tomorrow." (CW)

This workshop is based upon work and findings of the Learning in Science Project, a research project which investigated problems and difficulties in the teaching and learning of science. The workshop program, including activities which have been shown to impact on teacher thinking, is designed to focus attention on learning problems in classrooms,…

This study was designed to assess the effect of a process oriented elementary science curriculum upon students' achievement. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) Complete Battery with the social studies and science supplements was administered to sixth grade students completing one, two, or three years of the Science through Discovery program in…

This study was designed to determine whether a summer institute for elementary teachers could reduce or eliminate obstacles to teaching science. During summer, 1986, 10 primary teachers (K-3) participated in a month-long training session designed to help them improve their background knowledge of light and shadows and develop, teach, and revise a…