The discrepancy between educators' expectations for inquiry behavior and the actual status of such behavior (teachers feeling more comfortable teaching facts and feeling ill-prepared to guide students in inquiry learning) prompted a quantitative assessment of the existing research (reported between 1965 and 1980 in doctoral dissertations and…

To investigate factors which could explain the unequal participation and performance of males and females in science, the limited opportunity for females to acquire scientific literacy from their male peers in school was examined. It was assumed that males are more scientifically literate than females (even at elementary school age), that most…

THIS ENGLISH PUBLICATION IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR PROSPECTIVE OR PRACTICING TEACHERS IN THE TEACHING OF GENERAL EDUCATION SCIENCE TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. IT IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT SCIENCE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED, AND TAUGHT, AS A HUMAN ACTIVITY WHICH EXPLORES THE REALM OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE, MAPS IT METHODICALLY BUT…

Explores the application of the microcomputer as an adjunct to laboratory experiments within the science curriculum. Identifies needs and critical competitors that may affect implementation. Indicates problems along with suggestions for improving the effectiveness of this method. (RT)

Argues that the failure of modern courses to achieve their declared goals in relation to children's understanding of science has two causes, namely teachers views about the nature of science, and a degree of confusion in the philosophical stance implicit in many science curricula. Presents a philosophical model for curricula. (CW)

Describes a science activity done with sixth graders during a unit on outer space. Uses the "Discovery Lab" software program to introduce controlled and experimental variables to the children. Discusses the coordination of library research, computer time, and creative drawing to study planetary environments by designing representative aliens. (CW)

Provides background information on landfills and describes an activity where students learn how a modern landfill is constructed and develop an understanding of the reasons for several regulations regarding modern landfill construction. Students design and construct working models of three types of landfills. (PR)

The first challenge in designing and teaching any course is to decide what to teach. At most colleges and universities, the process of selecting course content is an extremely local enterprise. Sometimes the decisions are made by a small group of faculty members, but most often they are made by a single professor with the responsibility of…

This publication is the third volume in the "Advanced in Research on Teaching" series, which has been established to provide state-of-the-art conceptualization and analysis of the processes involved in functioning as a classroom teacher. This volume focuses on the planning and managing of learning tasks and activities, in particular,…

Teachers describe their professional development experiences regarding science, science teaching, and science learning as they occurred over a 2.5 year period in the Literacy in Science and Social Studies Project in a professional development school setting. They contrast their experiences in this collaborative setting with more traditional models…

The purpose of this project was to determine whether third grade students, given written directions and necessary materials, could work without teacher direction for 30 minutes. Students (N=25) were to gain skill and confidence in carrying out the processes required for completing an independent learning activity by completing science learning…

Focusing on the use of common, everyday materials that can be obtained for free or purchased inexpensively, this document was developed to provide classroom teachers, youth leaders, camp counselors and parents with ideas and activities in science. A major emphasis is placed on "starter" activities, which are designed to encourage…

Perspectives on the nature of subject matter in science are offered in this paper. It is proposed that science and its context are better viewed as shifting rather than remaining fixed. The rational, moral, and authentic nature of science is explained in reference to education in general and more specifically to the contexts of the science teacher…

Questions of ethics and social responsibility are considered by many to be important issues in science education. Teachers are being exposed to the difficult task of dealing with global problems and values. This book contains papers which deal with this apparent dilemma, raising questions about the responsibilities of science educators in the…

In December of 1986 and January of 1987, questionnaires on teaching practices in science and mathematics were sent to elementary school principals in Indiana. The first questionnaire, completed by 301 administrators, concerned manipulative use of materials in science and mathematics. The second questionnaire, completed by 317 administrators,…