Focuses on the performance assessment of the practical component in science education, discussing changes over the years in the rationale and methodology of large-scale performance assessment. Illustrates these changes by comparing the Second International Science Study (1984) with the Third International Science and Mathematics Study. Contains 77…

Observes students in 6th grade science classes as they use the Web to carry out an inquiry-based assignment. Explores their understanding and enactment of the assignment to do research on the Web. (Author/CCM)

Determined if the number of operational questions asked by fifth- and sixth-grade students (N=72) increased by teacher modeling or by practice at writing such questions. One finding is that students experiencing two types of teacher modeling asked more operational questions than students in a control group. (JN)

The objective of this study was to investigate how two application lessons at the end of an earth science curriculum contributed to two different types of classroom: generative and authoritative. This study used Vygotsky's views to interpret earth science learning in the elementary classroom. The research questions were: How do fifth grade…

Implementation of technology in classrooms is becoming a necessity for all teachers with the advent of the 21st century. This document presents the development process of a computer software project about invertebrates for fifth grade students. The project uses a HyperStudio program that displays information on cards linked to each other. The…

This 11-minute videotape and poster can be used for interactive instruction in grades 6-12 science classes. Issues examined in this videotape include preserving precious water resources, protecting the environment from pollutants caused by urban and agricultural development and industry within changing lifestyles, and ensuring the availability of…

This paper tries to explain why all the students of a same class who have got the same teaching do not go so far in their conceptual change. Here we have studied the students' conceptual change about volcanoes in a French 5th grade. The different students' preconceptions before teaching have been categorized and related to the well-known…

Describes the plants and animals which inhabit a natural meadow. Includes a two-page, color drawing of such a meadow with a key indicating the flora and fauna illustrated. (JN)

The percentage of students (n=1,605) and teachers (n=75) in grades three through six in the sample who report science as their favorite subject was determined. The results were compared to previous research. Results indicated that the proportion of students who reported science as their favorite subject was higher than the proportion of teachers.…

Investigates the relationship of locus-of-control orientation and task structure to the science problem-solving performance of 100 same-sex, sixth-grade student pairs. Some overall conclusions were that there was no relationship between locus-of-control orientation and effectiveness of problem-solving strategy. Internality was significantly…

The SETI Academy Planet Project provides an exciting, informative, and creative series of activities for elementary students (grades 5-6) in these activities each student plays the role of a cadet at the SETI Academy, a fictitious institution. This unit examines the evolution of stars and planets which is an important aspect of the search for…

The concept of controlled experimentation is a skill that all students leaving high school should master. Teachers often attempt to find exciting and fun methods to expose students to this valuable skill. This science activity guide allows students to construct model rockets in an attempt to improve their abilities to conduct controlled…

This booklet provides an introduction to solar energy by discussing: (1) how a home is heated; (2) how solar energy can help in the heating process; (3) the characteristics of passive solar houses; (4) the characteristics of active solar houses; (5) how solar heat is stored; and (6) other uses of solar energy. Also provided are 10 questions to…

The purpose of this empirical study was to establish initial reliability and validity data for a new Television Test of Science Processes (TTSP) which was developed in conjunction with the Science for the Seventies project of televised science instruction modules. Reliability was determined through internal consistency analysis using the…

This study describes strategies fifth- and sixth-grade children used to solve the problem of determining how to control a "vehicle" they "drove" by pressing particular keys on a computer. The problem involves identifying or discovering a set of cause-effect relationships. (Author/JN)