Discusses the dilemma of American Indian science students as they attempt to integrate the reductionist methodologies of modern science with the holistic approach of traditional beliefs and practices. Suggests that students look to traditional technologies to find the broader meaning underlying the mechanics of nature. (SV)

Examines the public's lack of understanding and interest in science. Places much of the blame on the perception of science as a dense yet pristine discipline divorced from everyday concerns. Criticizes the concept of science as independent of social construction and argues for instruction emphasizing relationships between science and society. (MJP)

A greater role for the history and philosophy of science in science education can only be realized if it is based on both a credible analytical approach--such as that of Lakatos--and if the evolution of a sufficient number of major themes in science is known in suitable detail. Considers chemical kinetics as an example topic. Contains 62…

Examines the growth in students' understanding about the nature of astronomy in a one-semester college course. Discusses how students respond to instruction with regard to the extent to which they demand and examine evidence used for justifying claims, integrate scientific and religious views, and distinguish between scientific and nonscientific…

Reports on an effort to improve articulation between science and education at Temple University. Describes the implementation of the cooperative controversy strategy into elementary science methods courses. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Presents a study that uses a quasi-ethnographic methodology employing impressionistic tales of the field to explore constraints and successes encountered by teachers while implementing innovative teaching approaches in middle school classrooms. A new middle school structure blended elementary and secondary school cultures. Presents three tales…

Uses historical and contemporary examples to prove that many feminist analyses fit together into a compelling perspective on the ideology of science. Addresses how this ideology affects those who pursue careers in science. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Suggest that autobiography ought to be considered both the telling of one's story and the using of that story with others to understand and use difference productively. Claims that autobiography, as telling and interacting, dismantles the universalistic tug of science as local knowledge. Presents selected autobiographical accounts to make both…

Describes an experience of trying to publish a book whose contents are in some ways marginal to what is normally considered science or science education. During the publishing process, ideas about what counts as science got tangled up with what counts as "credible" science, "marketable" literature, and academic competence. (Contains 26…

Problems concerning conceptual change from existing knowledge (accumulated from everyday experiences or earlier teaching) to new scientific knowledge concerning natural phenomena are fundamentally the same for Western and non-Western students. However, difficulties experienced by non-Western students are magnified by factors such as their cultural…

This paper considers the term "authentic science" and its meaning with respect to science education. In particular, three relevant denotations of authenticity are applied to nine facets of science. These facets include methodological and epistemological aspects of science, personal, private, public, historical, societal and technological…

Five questions are developed as an analytical scheme by which the basis for knowledge claims in science textbooks can be analyzed. The scheme is based on three conditions of knowledge: (1) if the claim is true (the truth condition), (2) if there is adequate evidence for the claim (the evidence condition), and (3) if the claim is believed to be…

This study investigated United Arab Emirates (UAE) high school students' views about the epistemology of science. About 1,600 high school science students, from the seven Emirates that constitute the UAE, participated in the study during the 1997-98 school year. Students responded to a questionnaire composed of 15 items selected mainly from the…

Discusses the meaning of Schwab's "substantive structures" of a discipline in terms of science philosophy. Presents three techniques for representing substantive structures and discusses some of their uses in science education research. (SK)

Describes the relationship of Popper's theory of knowledge to chemistry instruction. Suggests that students be allowed to learn from their mistakes and presents five experiments with an implicit falsification purpose. (JN)