Students' comprehension of 45 nontechnical words used in science classes was investigated. Students (n=2111) in grades 7-12 and first year university were tested. Although many students apparently understood the words at a superficial level, some were unable to make the discriminations of meaning required for effective communication in science…

The relationships and possible effects of various personal home and school variables on the acquisition of functional biological, chemical, and physical scientific knowledge by tenth grade Israeli students (n=544) was investigated. Biology was the only subject in which functional knowledge was significantly related to nonformal science activities.…

The extent to which students' home characteristics, school factors, teaching and learning variables account for the variance of a measure of students' (n=2059) attitude toward science was investigated. The results indicate that most students come from homes that may not foster positive attitudes toward science and that variables that could lead to…

The degree of agreement between evaluations of trainee biology teachers using students' perceptions of teacher skills and characteristics obtained from Science Student Perception Questionnaire (SSPQ) and evaluations of these same teachers by their university supervisor and their school supervisors was determined. Results indicate an agreement and…

Samples of farmers who employed indentured apprentices, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) college teachers, and trade committee members were asked their attitudes about the Farm Apprenticeship scheme versus agricultural colleges. The results show a high degree of division of labor and mutual recognition between teacher in TAFE colleges and…

Student understanding of 30 nontechnical words used in science was investigated. No significant differences were found between the understanding of nontechnical words in science or between the verbal reasoning ability of males (n=108) and females (n=89). Of the four different question formats, students had the most difficulty with the synonym…

Six types of remedial projection slide programs were tested on male students (n=120) who showed difficulty in visualizing rotation from molecular diagrams. There were no significant differences in improvement of understanding which were dependent on the number of remedial diagrams. However, when slides contained multicolored diagrams, which were…

Research suggests that many children have a concept of speed which is counterproductive to sound road crossing decisions. An attempt at conceptual change through the teaching of a unit on speed to grade one children is described. There is optimism that six- to seven-year-old children can apply classroom experiences to real life situations. (Author)

The problem-solving difficulties of Nigerian preservice chemistry teachers (n=300) were investigated. The results from written tests and an interview show students were capable of constructing mental representations but not solution plans; had inappropriate approaches and strategies; exhibited structural errors relating to a disregard of given…

An alternative procedure to the draw-a-scientist test (DAST) was used to uncover students ideas about science, scientists, and technology. A series of illustrations (based on the interview-about-instances (IAI) procedure) concerned with appearance, gender, work place, and employment were developed. Through interviews, students (n=121) responded to…

Concepts used by two classes of grade eight students, one advanced and the other average, to explain the changes that occur when water is heated to boiling are presented. Little difference was found between groups in terms of the personal misconceptions used to explain boiling. The changes that take place in conceptual knowledge immediately after…

Information on the content of the intended science curriculum, what science was actually taught by the teachers, and how that science was taught is presented. Student achievement and attitudes were assessed using tests and questionnaires. Data were obtained from teachers regarding whether the content had been taught to the students (n=657) who…

Students' ideas about technology (their concept of it and their attitude toward it) are described. From students' (n=89) own descriptions of technology and their responses to concept items on a questionnaire, it appeared that they have a broad, but biased, concept of technology. Consequences for technology teacher training programs are discussed.…

The development and validation of a Learning Style Questionnaire (LSQ) for use with upper primary school children studying science in an Asian context are described. Four important learning dimensions were identified: (1) concrete-abstract; (2) passive-active; (3) low-high self-confidence/self-esteem; and (4) superficial-deep motivation. (KR)

An intervention study with 12- to 13-year-old students which attempts to move students' thinking about matter and the dissolving process toward the school science view by use of activities and group discussion tasks which directly address some of the thinking underlying students' prior ideas is described. Students responses to the strategies…