In preparation for developing a position statement for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) on the preparation and certification of elementary and middle/junior high school science teachers, several NSTA committees conducted a survey of 50 colleges and universities with teacher education programs. Results of the survey (N=45) are…

The National Science Foundation funded a project to: (1) identify major areas of science education research in which sufficient studies have been conducted to permit useful generalizations for educational practice; (2) conduct meta-analyses of each of these areas; and (3) prepare a compendium of these meta-analyses along with interpretative and…

The Minnesota Science Education Task Force initiated a state-wide survey in 1983 to assess the current status of science education in Minnesota schools. This process involved instrument revision, sample design, data collection, file preparation and analysis. Questionnaires were modified to obtain information on the role of science teachers, the…

This review presents a broad picture of science education research during 1977 and discusses how this research relates to the past and how it can be of use to teachers. The review is organized in four sections. The Overview is a presentation and discussion of research dealing with the philosophy of science education, its goals, objectives and…

Reports on a study to extend the concurrent and predictive validity of the Teacher Performance Assessment Instrument by including a sample of middle school science teachers. The validity criteria for the study involved observing student engagement and integrated process skill achievement. (TW)

Describes a study designed to develop a systematic procedure for constructing a valid Likert attitude scale. Discusses the 15-step procedure that was produced. Reviews the resulting development of an instrument designed to test the attitude of teachers toward the use of microcomputers in the classroom. (TW)

Presents a position statement on preparation of middle/junior high school science teachers. Areas addressed include: preparation in science content; science teaching methods; field experiences and student teaching; faculty preparation; facilities, equipment, materials; and professional orientation. Recommended standards (intended to provide a…

Reports a study (n=27) concerning the knowledge about image formation exhibited by students following instruction in geometrical optics in an activity-based college physics course for prospective elementary teachers. Student diagrams and verbal comments indicate their knowledge can be described as an intermediate state: a hybridization of…

"Talking Science" does not mean simply talking about science; it means doing science through the medium of language. This is a book about communication, scientific, and technical education. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the specific themes and methods of the book. Each analyzes a brief classroom episode, looking from two different points of view at…

The American Chemical Society (ACS) sponsored a workshop for 32 invited participants to consider chemistry instruction in the kindergarten-through-ninth-grade curricula. This document represents the final report of the conference to the ACS Committee on Chemical Education. An introduction presents an overview of the conference and perspectives on…

This paper provides a focus on the successful and positive facets of schooling from a series of case studies. The study involved 13 researchers in over 500 hours of intensive classroom observation of 20 exemplary teachers and a comparison group of non-exemplary teachers. The qualitative information was complemented by quantitative information…

A group of scientists and science educators at Washington State University has developed and pilot tested an integrated physical science program designed for preservice elementary school teachers. This document is a comprehensive guide to be provided to students in a physical science teaching methods course. Chapters include: (1) "Science as a…

A group of scientists and science educators at Washington State University (WSU) has developed and pilot tested an integrated physical science program designed for preservice elementary school teachers. Courses developed were: (1) fundamentals of astronomy and physics, (2) fundamentals of chemistry and earth sciences, and (3) methods for teaching…

This position paper was developed to inform U.S. policymakers of the state of science and technology education in the United States and of the importance of adequate science and technology understanding to the economic competitiveness of the country. Provided in this document are discussions of the national goals of science and technology…

This book contains the proceedings of a seminar that investigated the impact of cognitive and social development on the teaching of science in secondary schools, and the possible ways in which the science curriculum could be a context in which adolescents' development could be positively influenced. Six plenary papers were presented: (1) "Research…