Maintaining a balance between population and the resources needed to sustain life on earth is a critical challenge. This teaching unit focuses on this challenge by providing teachers with information and activities on both the national and global impacts of population growth. The document contains: (1) basic information about the population…

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…

Forty-five educators, mathematicians, scientists, cognitive scientists, and curriculum and technology experts met during January 16-19, 1986, in an attempt to synthesize the current state of knowledge about science education and to recommend actions designed to strengthen the field. This report describes the themes that emerged from the…

The theme of this conference was intended to reflect the changes in the economic and educational environment and the changing perceptions of science educators in the United States and in the United Kingdom since the first such seminar which occurred in 1982. The document includes the text of the keynote address by F. James Rutherford entitled…

The purpose of this study was to explore middle school students' perceptions of what factors facilitated their learning of science. Between 50 and 60 high-achieving middle school students were in residence on the University of South Florida campus for 12 consecutive days of study in the "World of Water" program. There were two sessions per summer…

This paper reports the results of a survey of 1,200 teachers' views on technology. Using a combination of empirical methods, teachers' responses to statements about technology in contemporary society were examined. This paper describes the following: (1) new statements about technology based on the sociology of technology; (2) teachers' responses…

The student who has thoughtfully examined opposing viewpoints on an issue should perceive what other position can be occupied on that issue and should learn to carefully consider antithetical viewpoints. The development of this critical approach is the purpose of this book. An introduction, postscript summary, and two articles or published…

This book is one in a series designed to provide access to a wide range of selected articles from magazines, newspapers, and journals. This volume contains 55 articles by scientists, educators, researchers, and writers providing effective and useful perspectives on today's important topics in the study of global issues. Articles included in this…

The Institute in Physical Science was developed to address the need for updated information and training in physics, chemistry, and technology among elementary and secondary teachers of physical science. Four major objectives were addressed: (1) improve teachers' understanding of fundamental concepts in physics and chemistry; (2) improve fifth-…

The CLASS project is a series of investigations and projects designed by the National Wildlife Federation as supplementary materials for existing junior high school environmental curricula. This notebook contains nine different sections: an introduction, six content areas, a series of case studies, and a resource bibliography. The six content…

This report is in response to an order of the Washington State Legislature which directed the state superintendent of public instruction to: (1) define environmental literacy; (2) assess the status and needs of environmental education in Washington and make appropriate recommendations based on that survey data; and (3) develop and submit a report…

The five papers in this pre-conference reader were intended to stimulate discussion about the impact of technology on society and on education in general, and to provide some insights into the opinions of Dutch and Flemish researchers working in the field. In the first paper, "Information Technology in Education," Tjeerd Plomp addresses…

The ocean affects all of our lives. Therefore, awareness of and information about the interconnections between humans and oceans are prerequisites to making sound decisions for the future. Project ORCA (Ocean Related Curriculum Activities) has developed interdisciplinary curriculum materials designed to meet the needs of students and teachers…

The ocean affects all of our lives. Therefore, awareness of and information about the interconnections between humans and oceans are prerequisites to making sound decisions for the future. Project ORCA (Ocean Related Curriculum Activities) has developed interdisciplinary curriculum materials designed to meet the needs of students and teachers…