Clean energy is a topic of increasing political and cultural significance in the age of climate change, and as such can be an interesting topic with which to engage students. One avenue to produce large quantities of power is through harnessing nuclear reactions; however, the social stigma and fear of expanding nuclear power have placed several…

Business leaders in Virginia cannot find the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent they need to stay competitive. Students' lagging performance in K-12 is a critical reason why. The good news is that the nation's most effective STEM education programs can help turn the tide. Virginia students have already made progress in…

In this article the authors describe an Integrative Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Design-Based Learning (I-STEM ED DBL) activity that invites students to delve into the science, technology, and engineering related to the production of Ötzi's copper axe and to speculate about the circumstances surrounding his…

We have conducted an education project to communicate the wave energy concept to high school students. A virtual reality system that combines both hardware and software is developed in this project to simulate the buoy-wave interaction. This first-of-its-kind wave energy unit is portable and physics-based, allowing students to conduct a number of…

A study of modern genetics requires students to successfully unite the principles of Mendelian genetics with the functions of DNA. Traditional means of teaching genetics are often successful in teaching Mendelian and molecular ideas but not in allowing students to see how the two subjects relate. The laboratory module presented here attempts to…

The purpose of this three-paper manuscript dissertation was to study digital fabrication as an instructional technology for supporting elementary and middle school science and mathematics education. Article one analyzed the effects of digital fabrication activities that were designed to contextualize mathematics education at a summer mathematics…

Guided by a new framework, the NAEP science assessment was updated in 2009 to keep the content current with key developments in science, curriculum standards, assessments, and research. The 2009 framework organizes science content into three broad content areas. Physical science includes concepts related to properties and changes of matter, forms…

This study explores measurement of a construct called knowledge integration in science using multiple-choice and explanation items. We use construct and instructional validity evidence to examine the role multiple-choice and explanation items plays in measuring students' knowledge integration ability. For construct validity, we analyze item…

In this problem-based learning activity (PBL), students embark on a science trek to answer the question "Where is the science in my neighborhood?" The project serves as an excellent review of science curriculum in anticipation of Virginia's year-end standardized test--the Standards of Learning (SOL). This has proved to be an interesting…

Reports the results of a study conducted in Virginia to gather information concerning the background of earth science teachers, opinions of these teachers regarding earth science education, and information regarding curriculum and materials for earth science education. (JR)

Presented is one of a series of publications, Resources in Education, related to the Science Program of the Fairfax County Public Schools, 1974. A program description for K through 12 is presented to include the major goals of science education. A program description of each level is presented and Primary, Middle Elementary and Upper Elementary…

Presented is geological information and site descriptions for teachers to use in planning and conducting earth science field trips in Virginia. Among the topics included are: (1) Geology, Soils and Land Use in Central Virginia; (2) Using Coastal Plain Stratigraphy Near Fredericksburg, Virginia as a Teaching Tool; and (3) The Culpepper Basin of the…

Emphasized is the need for statewide direction in secondary science education coordinated by personnel from local school districts, local universities, and state departments of education. A state communication network is described and its impact on earth science, preservice and inservice college offerings, research, and other areas discussed. (DC)

Given the growing interest in the environment and the mounting crisis in solid waste management, many secondary teachers have been seeking curriculum materials which can help them address these issues with their classes. This document is a collection of 12 multidisciplinary activities which are offered to assist in the education of these students.…

The Standards of Learning Program for Virginia Public Schools is designed to identify what students are expected to accomplish, to provide a method for determining what has been learned, and to encourage teachers to give additional instruction when needed. This document provides a broad framework for science programs and specifically identifies…