Inquiry is a goal of science education reform. Middle school science teachers and their students can develop understanding of inquiry by using an experimental design format. Facilitating this format with the four-question strategy helps students to design their investigations. An example of varying concentrations of vinegar and water illustrates…

The 422 Presidential Science Honorees (1980-86) participated in a Delphi study composed of two surveys regarding their professional reading patterns including science education journals, general education journals, science indexes, and general education indexes. Demographic information about the respondents is provided. (Author/YP)

Reports on a study of teacher education programs for science teachers in New England. Focuses on data regarding the amount and types of science content and secondary science methods courses, program emphasis in science content, science processes and methods, science teaching techniques, and effectiveness of science preparation. (TW)

Describes a survey which was designed to obtain information on acid rain education. Reviews results pertaining to instructional time, instructional topics, use of labs from a common resource guide, and preference of materials related to acid rain education. (ML)

Describes the purpose and preparation of a science unit box which contains materials, ideas, and resources for more effective science teaching. Lists and explains the 14 basic components that each box should contain including behavioral objectives, manipulatives, science concept and process list, and lesson plans. (RT)

The purpose of this study was to analyze science education searches and hiring practices for faculty positions listed in The Chronicle of Higher Education for an academic year. Chairs of searches completed a survey about successful and unsuccessful searches. Over 70% of searches were successful in hiring new science education faculty with 33%…

Reports on a study which gathered demographic data about New England elementary science methods faculty. Summarizes findings about each faculty member's professional preparation, related work-load responsibilities, and elementary teaching experience as well as other demographic data. Discusses criteria for a model elementary science methods…

Reports a study designed to gather demographic data about New England teacher education institutions concerning science content, science processes and methods, science teaching techniques, effectiveness of science preparation, and general preparation of elementary science teachers. Compares findings with a nationwide survey. (ML)

Investigates differences in perceived inservice needs of veteran and nonveteran biology teachers as recommended by the National Research Council. Veteran and nonveteran teachers chose differing subjects for which mastery courses should be taught. Nonveteran teachers perceived a greater need for science teaching-methods courses. (LZ)

This paper describes how interpretations of inquiry have changed during the 20th Century. These multiple meanings have resulted in (a) confusion among K-12 teachers of science and (b) various interpretations by science teacher educators. Suggestions are provided for preservice programs (both science and methods courses), professional development…

Surveys completed by 147 rural Missouri secondary science teachers indicated that only 70 percent were certified in their teaching area, lectures were the dominant teaching strategy, student interest in science was low, the use of inquiry in teaching was low, laboratory facilities and funding for supplies were inadequate, and teaching materials…

Analyzes demographic data about secondary science methods faculty regarding the faculty member's professional preparation, content of the methods course, secondary teaching experience, and information about the individual. Some implications for teacher education are included. (YP)

Describes the Phone Assistance for Teachers of Science (PATS), an innovative approach designed to enable new K-12 science teachers in Missouri to access quality science resources. Discusses the background, literature review, program description, evaluation, and future directions. (JRH)

The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to examine the categories of teacher-asked questions while using moving and still frames of science videodisc instruction. Videotapes were made of 12 volunteer, Midwestern, urban, elementary teachers using videodisc instruction. Coding of the teacher-asked questioning categories was determined…

A project addressed the lack of rural school laboratory facilities and limited opportunities for staff development by training 22 high school physics teachers in rural Missouri to use videotaped "virtual" laboratory experiments and student data-collection worksheets. Surveys identified 19 topics for which physics teachers reported…