Examined a group of science graduates who applied for a secondary postgraduate certificate in education course at one British institution, describing how preservice teachers were selected for the course and how graduates perceived criteria used in selection. Graduates were tracked during their course, and researchers compared the performance of…

Environmental education promotes the use of higher-order thinking skills, encourages informal experiences in school as well as outdoors and brings together children and adults in order to make a contribution to the environment. Its holistic nature, that encompasses various subject matters, learning environments and teaching methods and encourages…

Although the reform literature in mathematics and science is replete with calls for the integration of math and science, there remain precious few empirical studies examining the prerequisite skills, beliefs, knowledge bases, and experiences necessary for teachers to implement integrated instruction. The initial intent of this study was to examine…

This study investigated prospective secondary science teachers' understandings of and intentions to teach about scientific modelling in the context of a model-based instructional module. Qualitative methods were used to explore the influence of instruction using dynamic computer modelling. Participants included 14 secondary science prospective…

The development of new courses is strengthened by assessment and a response to the assessment. Two new science methods courses for elementary and secondary preservice teachers were developed, fostered by the Great Salt Lake Project. The preservice teachers designed and performed research projects that they then converted into inquiry-based…

A particularly useful pedagogical strategy for beginning a dialogue with prospective teachers about the ways in which their experiences and beliefs shape their development of professional knowledge is writing impressionist tales. Impressionist tales are a form of autobiography that portrays one highly personal perspective on a significant moment…

Inverness Research studied the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Seminars on Science program for eight years, from its inception in 1998 to 2006. In 2009, Inverness Research conducted additional studies of the AMNH's new online course, The Solar System. This paper presents teacher survey ratings for The Solar System, along with profiles of…

The questions for this research were: (1) what did preservice teachers know about the nature of science; (2) what were their religious beliefs that had implications for how they viewed science; and (3) what effect did instruction on the nature of science have in changing their knowledge level? A 25-item questionnaire was given to secondary science…

Preservice teacher education, when viewed through a constructivist lens, should consider preconceptions because it is important that students be initially aware of their own attitudes and of the beliefs that they carry with them. Preconceptions also provide a reference point about which students may reflect as new meanings are acquired. This paper…

The issues of teacher quality expressed by many of the recent national reports on excellence in education have led a number of universities and colleges to increase the admission requirements and/or the exit standards for teacher certification programs. Emphasis has been placed on higher grade point averages and demonstrated academic ability on…

The effectiveness of a loan program in providing an incentive for students to prepare for mathematics and/or science teaching in Washington State is described in this report. It is the third of a three part report to the Washington State Legislature regarding the Teacher Incentive Loan Program for Mathematics and Science. Recipients of forgiveness…

As a response to the increasing mathematics and science teacher shortage, incentive programs have been developed and offered throughout the United States. Data pertaining to these programs were obtained from questionnaires completed by state officers from the District of Columbia and all of the 50 states except Hawaii. Survey results are organized…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a preservice science methods course emphasizing the mastery of selected science process skills on the level of development of logical thinking of students majoring in elementary school education. The problem was investigated for one semester with experimental subjects in their junior year,…

In considering implications for teaching and learning found in research, a number of writers have urged teachers to probe students conceptions before teaching a concept. The purpose of this probing is to allow the teacher to begin instruction from the conceptual position or positions of the students. This approach carries with it the assumption…

Papers presented at a conference of science educators from 26 countries organized to discuss world trends in science education are compiled in this publication. Section titles are: (1) Perspectives on Science Education - Some Major Trends (9 papers); (2) Science Curriculum Development for the Future - A Look at Some of the Issues (7 papers); (3)…