Argumentation as a scientific practice has largely been examined along an epistemic and/or dialogic perspective in science education research. Both perspectives have sidelined the use of real material objects that are indispensable for scientists to construct arguments about the natural world. To address this gap, this article investigates how…

This study assessed ways by which science textbooks can be designed and developed to increase scientific literacy in secondary school students. Here in the research and development method was used. The draft of the new science textbooks was incorporated into school instruction using a non-equivalent control group design with pretest and posttest…

This small scale study aims to analyze the question papers of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education in the subject of computer science with reference to item analysis and Bloom's taxonomy. Data were collected from 100 students of Grade 9th and 10th from the schools of Lahore city using convenient sampling technique. Data collected on the…

In this article the authors share how social media, paired with gaming and in-class supports, can facilitate the practice of scientific argumentation and report data that show how students can learn and practice argumentation through these highly interactive and engaging mediums. Social media will continue to evolve and fluctuate in popularity,…

This study examined what kinds of groups can be identified according to students' task-values across four subject domains (languages, math and science, social sciences, practical subjects) and the related gender differences using a person-centered approach. Latent class analysis was applied to classify 638 students (mean age = 15) into four…

This article describes the state of informatics education in the Italian secondary schools, highlighting how the learning objectives set up by the Ministry of Education are difficult to meet, due to the fact that the subject is often taught by teachers not holding an informatics degree, the lack of suitable teaching material and the expectations…

The present study aims at unravelling the myriad of student-level (i.e., gender, socioeconomic status [SES], academic self-concept, achievement, ability, and occupational interests) and school-level (i.e., gender composition, maths composition, and SES composition) determinants of option choice in the academic track of secondary school in…

Describes a science fiction writing project for ninth-grade physical science classes. Provides some examples of science fiction stories written by the students. Selects grammar, punctuation, science content, sentence structure, and originality as the criteria of grading. (YP)

Construction of laboratory equipment from earthenware clay uses art as a way to incorporate the element of science history into an Introductory Physical Science (IPS) unit on distillation. Classroom techniques for working with clay to construct distilling apparatus are outlined. Other supplementary material from the arts, including slide…

This is the final test for students in the ninth-grade science course offered in Alberta (Canada) schools. Intended for administration during June 1985, it contains 75 multiple-choice questions. Ninety minutes are allowed for completing the test. An answer key is not included. (JN)

This document was designed to help teachers provide ninth grade students in New York City with opportunities to learn about scientific processes as well as basic reasoning skills which underlie problem-solving processes in scientific and nonscientific disciplines. The first section of the guide, "The Environment," contains lessons which…

This document was designed to assist teachers who are helping ninth grade students in New York City learn scientific concepts. In addition, the guide emphasizes basic reasoning skills which underlie problem-solving processes in scientific and nonscientific disciplines. The first section of the guide contains lessons on what a scientist does,…

Descriptions of eight exemplary precollege earth science programs are presented. The programs were locally developed, nontext based, and having an extensive laboratory component. The programs emphasize societal issues involving aspects of earth sciences. (CW)

An experiment is described which uses lead sulfide to illustrate the concept of definite proportions as well as the union of atoms to form compounds. This experiment has been successfully used with ninth graders. The advantages of this experimental procedure over available alternatives are listed. (MR)

A self-paced format is used to teach physical science on three levels: (1) regular program; (2) challenging readings and experiments for academically gifted; and (3) modified textbooks for students with reading/learning difficulties. (Author/JN)