This report summarizes the characteristics of physics education in 12 countries: Argentina; Brazil; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; Guatemala; Jamaica; Mexico; the United States; and Venezuela. An introductory chapter describes the goals of the Council on Inter-American Conferences on Physics Education, historical background,…

Policy documents in the past have called for a science education policy which specifically targets major areas of identified need. This document details three recommendations specifically emphasizing programs which do not require significant new funds. These include: (1) "Federal Leadership: Using the 'Bully Pulpit'," which suggests priorities for…

This publication presents selected papers that address certain questions that are being investigated by Bank Street College's Center for Children and Technology (CCT). CCT's researchers are working to help define new research inquiries and to document students' and teachers' uses and understandings of educational technologies. Included in this…

This publication covers the teaching of the various scientific disciplines, integrated and interdisciplinary science teaching, and education in technology, nutrition and health throughout the world. It emphasizes aspects of science and technology education, such as social relevance, teaching in relation to the local environment and links with…

Beneath educational pedagogies lie philosophical assumptions about the nature of learning, knowledge, truth and morality. These different philosophies form the foundations of a variety of instructional programs in all academic disciplines. This paper addresses constructivism, a recent attempt to provide a philosophical pedagogy which affects…

This guide is designed to provide a rationale and structure which can enable educational planners and decision makers in Kansas to develop and select science curricula. The content of the publication is intended to be used by administrators in charge of curriculum, departmental and district science chairpersons, and all teachers, citizens and…

Designed for middle and junior high school students, the Human Sciences Program (HSP) represents a three year, interdisciplinary program which focuses on the role of the natural sciences in promoting the cognitive, psycho-social, and moral development of early adolescents. The materials consist of modules of activities designed around major themes…

Background information and exemplary units for teaching science in Georgia's middle school grades are provided. Discussed in the first section are: (1) the rationale for including science in middle school grades, focusing on science/society/technology, science/social issues, scientific reasoning, and scientific literacy; (2) role of science…

This curriculum guide for the Plano Intermediate School District (Texas) Outdoor Learning Center is divided into three major sections. Section I provides information on the numbered stations/posts found along the perimeter and inner trails of the center and includes brief comments on the philosophy of environmental education and the history…

This document was developed to encourage and aid local schools in the assessment of their science curricula on a continuous basis. It provides: (1) a 21-step implementation schedule for conducting a science curriculum assessment and/or revision; (2) a model for assisting schools in developing their science philosophy, goals, and topics; (3)…

This paper examines various issues related to the teaching of science to hearing impaired students at the elementary school, intermediate school, secondary school, and college levels. Also included are: (1) summaries of national surveys on the state-of-the-art; (2) suggested strategies for teaching hearing impaired students; (3) three case studies…

This document contains guidelines for science curriculum in Washington State schools. Statements of philosophy and program goals are presented and explained. Four major program goals (which address societal demands) operationally describe science education toward the learning of: (1) factual and theoretical knowledge; (2) applied science skills;…

This publication provides background information and activity suggestions on air pollution and related environmental topics. Student projects and experiments which can be adapted at both elementary and secondary levels are also provided. Information is organized in three parts. Part I covers basic facts about air pollutants including the types,…

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…

Believing that effective supervision depends upon a well-informed, competent leader, the National Association of Science Supervisors (NSSA) conducted a regional leadership conference for science chairpersons and supervisors (August 10-15, 1980) which focused on (1) increasing leadership skills in selecting supervisory techniques and strategies,…