Issues related to the improvement of science teaching are examined in this collection of proposals and papers from the 1985 National Forum for School Science. Generalized comments are offered on strategies for strengthening science teaching and on selected proposals concerned with the recruitment and retention of science teachers. Topic areas…

Designed to help adults guide elementary school age children toward an understanding of the natural world, this document presents a step-by-step experiential introduction to general science. Developed for use by teachers, parents, camp counselors, and youth group leaders, it discusses ways to overcome restrictions such as lack of student aptitude,…

Abstracts and abstractors' critiques of six science education research studies and two responses to critiques are presented in this journal issue. Each of the studies addressed some aspect of instruction. Areas investigated include: (1) the effects of teacher-demonstration as compared to those of self-paced instruction on student achievement; (2)…

Provided are suggestions and recommendations for each item on the checklist, contained in Part A of the handbook, which was designed to help elementary school principals assess and improve science programs in their schools. Suggestions/recommendations, designed to make the checklist more meaningful and useful, are keyed by number and/or letter to…

In the action-research phase of the Learning in Science Project, four groups of people worked on problems identified in the project's second (in-depth) phase. The Physics action-research group considered problems related to the teaching and learning of ideas associated with force and motion, suggesting that children's ideas of these concepts might…

This research sought to identify reasons why the study of science was being rejected by girls and Polynesian students. From eight schools chosen to give a representative coverage of ethnic grouping (Maori, European, Pacific Island) and type (single sex, coed, rural, urban, primary, intermediate, secondary), 20 Form 1 to 4 classes were administered…

This study addressed whether the educational impact of a zoo visit can be enhanced through the provision of appropriate instructional supports such as preparatory trainings or orientations. One important function of the educational process, in contrast to providing direct information or skill development, is to make the learner more sensitive to…

This is a summary of a final report which was based on a survey of the literature on needs and practices in pre-college social science education for the period 1955 through 1975. The summary contains a brief introduction, a description of procedures followed in the study, and a summary of findings. The findings are presented as summary statements…

This is a status report based upon the review, analysis, and summarization of literature related to pre-college science instruction, science teacher education, and needs assessment efforts. The report identifies trends and patterns in the preparation of science teachers, teaching practices, curriculum materials, and needs assessments in science…

Prepared for the National Science Foundation (NSF), this report summarizes the development and work of the Outdoor Biology Instructional Strategies (OBIS) project from 1972 to 1979. One hundred activities for ten- to fifteen-year-olds in community groups (scouts, clubs, camps, churches, etc.) were developed, field tested, revised, and made…

During 1979, nine National Workshops were organized in Afghanistan, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Socialist Republic of Vietnam to analyze national experiences relating to the designing and developing of innovative science curriculum and instructional materials for linking science education to real-life…

Common misconceptions of children that may interfere with their learning science are discussed, including three aspects of science programs: complexity, fragility, and unclear learning outcomes. Special attention is given to the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS). Methods for solving problems dealing with students' misconceptions are then…

A science education game, called "Challenge," was developed and tested. In a course designed to review the concepts that are useful in teaching elementary school science, one group of black graduate students used the game while a control group used the conventional lecture-discussion format. The game was designed to allow the player an opportunity…

Discusses the ISCS/FIRN Test Item Database, which contains 10,000 juried science questions that can help teachers prepare tests. Describes the process by which teachers can access the database and download certain questions into their own microcomputer. Provides lists from a sample search done using the various menus available. (TW)

Reports on the results of a conference of leaders in science education research held at the University of California, Berkeley, January 16-20, 1986. Describes the themes that emerged from the disucssions and makes four recommendations intended to encourage the development of an integrated research base in science education. (TW)