Provided is a brief overview of why science, society and technology (STS) education should be included in precollege science education. Summarizes selected literature on the topic in relation to environmental education. Lists goals and competencies for skills, and awareness of STS concepts. (CW)

The purpose of this study was to characterize high school chemistry students' (n=42) ability to make translations between three representations of the structure of matter, and to determine the degree to which the students' ability to make these translations is related to reasoning ability, spatial reasoning ability, gender, and specific knowledge…

Examines the following questions related to the effectiveness of science laboratory activities: (1) the behavior of high school chemistry teachers; (2) the behavior of high school chemistry students; and (3) the relationship, if any, between teacher behavior and student behavior as exhibited during high school chemistry laboratory sessions. (LZ)

Interviews of (n=10) science coordinators about their views of science/technology/society (STS) education found that, although they saw the value and need to integrate STS into science, they saw academic preparation as the only goal for academic high school science courses. (21 references) (MKR)

Proposes the use of procedural task analysis as a tool to assess a person's mental processes during problem solving in science education research. Uses transcriptions of videotape or audiotape problem-solving sessions to identify students' knowledge structures and misconceptions. (MDH)

The effectiveness of using a set of models in two protein synthesis laboratory exercises accompanied by a series of two lectures on the topic was assessed. The purpose, procedure, example test items, the findings, and a discussion are included. (KR)

Six sixth-grade science textbooks were examined for conceptual structure and readability. Hierarchical concept maps were composed on text segments for chosen topics and maps were scored. Reading analyses were also computed. Two trends were visually but not statistically evident. The Fry readability scores were higher than sixth grade, but no…

Investigates the effectiveness of two different types of interviews: one that embeds a concept map, and one that does not embed a concept map in order to elicit post-instructional understandings. Focuses on students' understandings of chlorofluorocarbons and their role in global atmospheric change. Contains 71 references. (DDR)

Reports on a study of seventh-grade life science students who received Science-Technology-Society (STS) instruction in their life science classes (n=264) versus students who received only instruction in life science content (n=136). Finds that the model of STS instruction employed significantly increased students' participation in citizenship…

Four upper elementary teachers involved in Science, Technology and Society (STS) instruction through participation in a Leadership Institute in STS Education were examined for their views on teachers serving as models of responsible citizenship action. The teachers appeared to operate under the belief that teachers must practice what they preach…

Results of a multiple choice instrument, (sample of convenience, n=45 education students), indicate that preservice and inservice science teachers had similar views. Views are classified as "Naive,""Has Merit," and "Realistic." The majority (79%) of the inservice teachers and the largest percentage of the preservice…

Scores student-constructed concept maps (n=17) that emerged from post-instructional interviews about chlorofluorocarbons against a teacher-expert map using a scheme weighted for relationships. Supports the recommendations of others to use expert referents and emphasize concept relationships in assessing concept maps. (Author/MM)

To verify its factor structure and construct validity, the Science Teacher Inventory of Need was administered to Malaysian secondary school teachers, using English-language and Bahasa Malaysia versions. Validity and reliability were adequate. The resulting six factors involved instruction, updating knowledge and teaching skills, diagnosing…

Describes the West Virginia K-12 RuralNet project which provides inservice teacher training to public school teachers on the use of Internet resources and presents a summary of quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Explains the validation of two instruments, the Level of Use of Internet and the Personal Internet Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Scale.…

The purpose of this study was to develop, validate, and establish the reliability of an instrument to assess the self--efficacy beliefs of prospective elementary teachers with regard to science teaching and learning for diverse learners. The study builds upon the work of Ashton, Webb, and Bandura. The Self-Efficacy Beliefs about Equitable Science…