The Science Teacher Inventory of Need (STIN) is an 83-item instrument which assesses science teachers' perceptions of their professional needs. Items on the STIN are organized under seven categories: (1) specifying objectives for science instruction; (2) diagnosing and evaluating learners for science instruction; (3) planning science instruction;…

Reviews the initiatives taken by six states in promoting precollege Science, Technology, Society (STS) education. Discusses the exemplary efforts undertaken in Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin. (ML)

The purpose of this study was to determine if elementary teachers' attitudes toward science and science education would become more positive if: (1) they participated in a four-week workshop on new science curricula; (2) the training they received was directed toward Elementary Science Study (ESS), Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS), or…

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)

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…