This 10-day study compared the effects of alternative ways of using microcomputer simulations on the achievement and attitudes of sixth- and seventh-grade science students (N=173). Nine classes were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) microcomputer simulations; (2) laboratory activities; (3) a combination of simulation and laboratory…

The Regents competency test in science is a survey test of the core process skills and core understandings taken from the 10 blocks of the "Science Syllabus for Middle and Junior High Schools." The life, earth, and physical sciences are covered equally. Questions testing knowledge (recall and recognition), comprehension, application, and…

Classroom and field activities for fifth- through ninth-grade students comprise this teaching guide for the northern New England shore. Teacher background information contains an introduction to life at the shore and the animal classification of marine invertebrates. Activities stress two major concepts: (1) the diversity and complex interactions…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of selected science experiences on fourth-grade students' concepts of Piagetian physical causality, namely, animism and dynamism. Vocabulary ability and Piagetian developmental stages were assessed by the "Concept Assessment Kit Conservation" and "Metropolitan Achievement…

Results of an evaluation of a governance model for inservice science teacher education by a committee of five classroom teachers, three scientists, and a science teacher educator are summarized. The model was designed to guide the implementation and evaluation of the goals and activities of a National Science Foundation-sponsored Academic Year…

Much has been studied and written in the last several years about computer technology in the classroom, teacher training in computer applications, and teacher use of the computer in the classroom. An evaluation was conducted of a school-based computer course on classroom applications with an emphasis on science material above elementary level. The…

This activity book is part of a series designed to take a concept or idea from the existing school curriculum and develop it in the context of the Great Lakes using teaching approaches and materials appropriate for students in middle and high school. The subject of this book is land and water interactions. Students examine how the Great Lakes were…

The project Teaching Science with TOYS promotes toys as an ideal mechanism for science instruction, because they are an everyday part of the students' world and carry a user-friendly message. TOYS Teacher Resource Modules are collections of "TOYS" activities grouped around a topic or theme with supporting science content and pedagogical…

Inconsistencies in scores from computer-simulated and "hands-on" science performance assessments have led to questions about the exchangeability of these two methods in spite of the highly touted potential of computer-simulated performance assessment. This investigation considered possible explanations for students' inconsistent performances: (1)…

This study sought to develop and verify the Index of Science Reading Awareness (ISRA) based on a model of an efficient, successful interactive-constructive science reader and three independent metacognitive awareness domains. Results did not support the assumption about the three independent metacognitive awareness domains and also indicated that…

Three activities--"Earth's Orbit and the Four Seasons,""Observing Rabbits," and "Solutes, Solvents, and Solutions"--are described. Included in each are background information, a list of materials, key questions, teacher preparation, teacher introduction, procedure, and follow-up activities. (CW)

Describes a professional development program to train math/science specialists for the upper elementary school grades. Using results from an interest survey, 30 teachers were chosen to participate in a 3-year program to become math/science specialists. Presents the teaching model used and the advantages for teachers and students in having subject…

Proposes engaging low achievers in science activities that appeal to their interests. Describes an example involving fishing that explores scientific concepts related to the search for bait, the fishing equipment, the use of solunar tables to determine the best time to go, processing the catch, and survival tips for the trip. (MDH)

The research described in this paper investigates the use of portfolio assessment techniques in middle school science classrooms. It explores how alternative assessment frameworks, such as portfolios, can be used by the classroom teacher and the students as an indicator of students' conceptual understanding and to facilitate changes in science…

The resources necessary to create, administer, and score performance assessments in science were studied. RAND and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) designed performance tasks for science in grades five and six as part of a larger study of the feasibility of science performance assessment. Tasks were developed in pairs in task…