This report focuses on the proposals, materials, programs produced, and the results that occur when new teachers and their students become involved with exemplary science materials and with teachers judged to be exemplary. This project enrolled exceptional teachers who could work together in class groups with some common purpose as to science…

This study was designed to determine: (1) the level of understanding of selected science concepts typical of freshmen and senior University of Wyoming elementary education students; (2) relationships between the number and kind of science courses taken by elementary education majors and their level of understanding of science concepts; and (3) if…

This report traces the development of science education, particularly the elementary science curriculum, in Trinidad and Tobago. Problem areas are identified that have influenced science instruction and/or the lack of it. A model is presented for teacher involvement in elementary science curriculum development. Through this approach, approximately…

Reported are three studies of attitudes towards and effects of science education field trips. In the first study, 425 fifth and sixth graders participated in outdoor science activities in one of three types of settings. Results indicated that more learning took place when the number of available examples of concepts to be learned and setting…

Generalizability theory was used to analyze the dependability of elementary school student ratings of attitudes toward school subjects. The rating scales under investigation have been developed to measure the attitudes of students toward four school subjects at both the primary and intermediate levels. Two generalizability coefficients, differing…

To investigate whether student attitudes toward basic school subjects were multidimensional, responses of 876 students in grade 6 to a preliminary pool of 72 items from the Survey of School Attitudes (SSA) were factor analyzed. If attitudes are unidimensional, as suggested by the four scores yielded by the SSA (one each for reading/language arts,…

Reports on effectiveness of an elementary school science program comparing attitudes toward science of Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) students and teachers with those of students and teachers in non-SCIS classes. Students (N=456) indicate preference for SCIS process-approach science, and SCIS teachers (N=109) spend more time teaching…

"Women in Science Scale," a 27-item instrument for measuring adolescents' attitudes toward women in science careers, was determined to be reliable by estimates of internal consistency (alpha = 0.92) and stability over time (r = 0.82). The instrument also clearly distinguishes between scores of males and females regardless of sex. (JN)

Relationships of student characteristics to student performance/attitudes were explored by meta-analysis for studies for years 1960-1981. Six characteristics (general ability, language ability, mathematics ability, socio-economic status, sex, and race) were selected for inclusion in the study. Indicates strong positive relationships between…

A longitudinal investigation is being conducted to examine commitment to science (attitudes) and science achievement among adolescents (N=4,500) in relation to individual/family/school influences. Addressed are the investigation's theoretical framework and major variables. Data analyses will serve to explain relationships among…

National Assessment of Educational Progress data show that, by age 9, girls express interest but do not engage in as many science activities as boys. This continues through ages 13 and 17, paralleled by increasing negative views of science and science classes/careers. Suggestions to eliminate inequalities found are offered. (JN)

Student attitudes toward science as measured by the 1976-1977 National Assessment of Educational Progress are discussed in terms of their effect on instruction, teacher attitudes, science careers, and science courses taken. Suggestions made to improve student attitudes include improving teacher attitudes toward science and instructional methods.…

Analyzed are 21 environmental stories published for children by national and regional environmental organizations. Findings indicate that, although these stories are in compliance with suggested environmental attitudes for children, they also conform to conventional sex role behavior in Arab States. (Author/CW)

Results are reported from a study which examined how achievement-related beliefs (e.g., academic self-concept, causal attributions, perceptions of teacher feedback) of fifth graders (N=192) vary as a joint function of sex, achievement level, and academic area. (IAH)

Presents a brief overview of the area of attitude research in science education. Highlights the need to evaluate students in relation to the affective domain. Discusses evaluation techniques, problems associated with evaluation, and some existing instruments and their associated limitations. (CW)