Perspectives on contemporary creationism are offered and the effects of that movement on public education are examined in this collection of articles. Six papers address concerns related to: (1) the detrimental impact of creationism on the teaching of science and on the understanding of the natural sciences; (2) efforts in confronting creation…

This reivew of research examines the effectiveness of computer-assisted-instruction (CAI) in raising the achievement levels of students at various levels and areas of instruction. The review studies four main categories of material written about CAI: (1) opinion papers; (2) descriptions of available hardware; (3) reports evaluating the…

This checklist is designed to help elementary school principals assess and improve science programs in their schools. The checklist is divided into four major sections, each dealing with an area that has an impact on these programs: (1) administrative aspects, considering the science curriculum plan, provisions for science in the budget,…

The Educational Technology Center (ETC) has devoted the last five years to studying ways of using the computer and other information technologies to teach understanding in science, mathematics, and computing in the nation's elementary and secondary schools. The Center's research has focused on targets of difficulty, topics and concepts that are…

This 21-chapter methods textbook provides essential information, practical applications, and resource materials for prospective, beginning, and experienced science teachers, professional science educators, science coordinators, and science supervisors. Major topic areas addressed in the chapters include: the scientific enterprise and science…

This brochure provides a brief description of what kindergarten students are taught and expected to know by the end of the school year. The information is designed to assist parents in understanding how Hawaii's public schools are working towards meeting the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards. Checklist information is provided for the…

This videotape recording (20 minutes) and print profile illustrate how educators are using technology to help students with disabilities succeed in science. In the first segment of the video, several elementary classrooms in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are visited where students with and without disabilities carry out inquiry-based science with the…

A Pennsylvania district used study groups to help teachers districtwide change their science teaching to standards-based practice of inquiry. Standards-based inquiry instruction requires that teachers have a deeper content knowledge as well as understand the process of inquiry. Making those changes requires support and a collegial environment.

Growing awareness of the importance of teacher quality in mathematics and science has stimulated a variety of national reports and funded initiatives for the purpose of improving teaching and learning in K-12 schools. This study examined the work of awardees in one federally-funded program that included a focus on increasing the number, quality,…

To analyze a student's conceptual changes, analyzing transcriptions of writing and verbal statements may not provide enough information. In a study of 25 sixth graders learning about matter and molecules, concept mapping of students' stated ideas was used to analyze the kinds of organizational changes the students made to use new science…

This report provides an analysis of issues and recommendations for further implementation of the National Education Goals and the America 2000 National Education Strategy related to education in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. This report considers teachers and teaching at every level. The report focuses on the need to build a…

The purpose of the conference reported in this document was to promote the professional sharing of current educational issues, to provide a forum for dialogue concerning relevant educational topics, and to share University of South Dakota faculty research interests. The proceedings are comprised of 10 presentations: (1) "Japan Related…

The Cooper Foundation Awards for Excellence in Teaching originated in 1981 to recognize and reward classroom teachers who submit innovative ideas and projects judged most likely to improve teaching and learning in the subject areas of economics, fine arts, foreign languages, geography, global studies, mathematics, and science. Each year the…

Abstractor's analyses of 12 science education research studies are presented. Nine analyses in the first section, focusing on various aspects of science instruction, include: a comparison of different approaches to helping students understand metric units of volume; use of specific questions to cue elementary school students in obtaining…

A series of experimental modules for teachers has been developed under the direction of the International Environmental Education Programme (IEEP) of UNESCO. This particular module focuses on the pre-service training of elementary school teachers and supervisors in environmental education. Section 1, Content for Environmental Education, traces the…