This article describes the process of institutionalization of science, technology, and society studies taking place in Cuba during the 1990s. It discloses the characteristics of the Master's program currently being developed in collaboration with the Universities of Havana, Cienfuegos (both in Cuba), Oviedo, and Barcelona (both in Spain). The…

With the publication by professional organizations of national academic standards in mathematics and science, a clear set of goals and guidelines for achieving literacy in mathematics and science has been established. This document was developed to help state- and district-level education leaders create coherent, multi-year curriculum programs…

Cognitive Scaffolding is what a teacher does when working with a student to solve a problem, carry out a task, or achieve a goal which would be beyond his unassisted efforts. As a psychological construct, it refers to the interaction between the knowledge and skills of teacher and student. A computer, textbook, or laboratory materials may serve as…

This study questioned whether there is a difference between Maryland Collaborative for Teacher Preparation (MCTP) teacher candidates and non-MCTP teacher candidates in the science content knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions they bring to their science classes, and in whether they complete the science methods course in their teacher education…

This paper describes how the TI-92+ calculator can be valuable in illustrating basic and advanced programming concepts in introductory computer science courses. Descriptions of the scope of the curricula for the courses in which the TI-92+ is used are provided. The TI-92+ programming language is particularly useful in demonstrating the progression…

The Wright State University Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Franchise has developed a project to fill the need for direct, strong connections linking science, mathematics and technology to classroom curriculum and students' learning of integrated, relevant content. GLOBE is an international project that involves…

The purpose of this study is to examine one possible source of misconceptions that are held by students of genetics--the teachers. Is there evidence to suggest that prospective biology teachers might have misconceptions about genetics and related concepts? If prospective biology teachers have misconceptions in genetics, how do these misconceptions…

The literature is rich with studies investigating gender differences in math, science, and technology. While some inequities have been evidenced and studied for years, we are still finding out many new sources of gender bias in the classroom. That girls think and learn differently as well as interact with equipment differently from boys is a major…

This research is part of a systematic, longer-term effort to study changes in the conceptions and beliefs of prospective teachers while teaming to teach science in a preservice teacher education program. This paper focuses on the impact of a project to reframe the theoretical underpinnings and pedagogical practices in a portion of the secondary…

Thirty years after the advent of the modern women's movement, women are still underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. This paper presents statistical snapshots--facts--of the situation for girls and women in education and employment, and discusses what makes these facts problems for our society. The paper suggests…

This article's thesis is that religion and science are ultimately the same thing, that they affect one another, and that people in the two fields therefore need to communicate. The authors begin by discussing the importance of ethical transformations to a life of love and character, arguing that the development of a technological society does not…

This digest provides four guideposts for tropical rainforest education: (1) structure; (2) location and climate; (3) importance; and (4) conservation of resources. Research is cited and background information provided about the layers of life and the adaptations of life within the tropical rain forest. Aspects of life within and near rain forests…

This paper presents debates on the need to examine teacher education programs and discusses the importance and impact of mentoring on the learning outcomes of the science teacher educator (STE). The position is taken that a mentoring program for preservice teacher education should be a part of all advanced graduate programs. A lack of research on…

This study seeks answers for the questions: How do young children express wonder and curiosity in the classroom culture? and How do teachers of young children foster wonder and curiosity? Teacher behavior has an effect on students, fostering students' curiosity and wonder or the opposite. This study also explores the efficiency of an observation…

Teachers play a major role in the creation of student learning experiences. Conventional wisdom suggests that teachers' knowledge, beliefs and values influence their instructional choices. However, attempts to describe the decision-making process have yielded inconclusive results. Analysis of the beliefs, intentions, and actions of two exemplary…