Determines the effect on inquiry of different contingencies of reinforcement. Classes of biology students were exposed to one of four treatments: verbal reinforcement and mimicry; using student ideas as reinforcers; using special privileges as reinforcers; and no reinforcement. Results include verifications that verbal reinforcement and mimicry…

Determined the influence of two types of practice (microteaching and modeling) used during process skills instruction on 29 preservice elementary teachers' acquisition and classroom utilization of those skills. Results indicated significant gains in skill acquisition using both methods, although neither method was found to be superior. (DS)

Assesses the effects of a one-day inservice program for junior high school science teachers emphasizing an activity-oriented science curriculum and management strategies necessary for such a curriculum. Results indicate inservice positively affects teacher attitudes toward strategies and student achievement in science. (DS)

Examined two questions: (1) Do high school students perceive the physical sciences as more masculine career fields than the biological sciences; and (2) what is the influence of coeducation on these sex-stereotyped positions? Utilized a questionnaire requiring a rating of 45 career fields as masculine or feminine. (DS)

Surveys environmental science education projects (N=42) before and after 1974 to determine if they use methods typical for science education and to what extent the topics treated in the curricula represent the thinking of the environmental education community. One finding indicates adherence to typical science education instructional methods…

Utilizes a questionnaire to investigate the science teacher/science supervisor interaction in schools and whether or not there are differences in perceptions of supervisory effectiveness between science teachers (N=258) and supervisors (N=143). Differences were found in perceptions concerning inservice, interpersonal and support activities, and…

The extent to which grades 3-7 students (N=424) hold animistic notions and the meanings of these notions were evaluated. A classification test composed of 16 pictures (8 living and 8 inanimate objects) and a questionnaire were used. Ninety-nine percent classified animals, 80 percent classified plants, and 56 percent classified embryos as living.…

Reports on the effect of commercially and locally produced televised science materials used in an inservice program on attitudes of 138 elementary teachers toward science teaching. Indicates materials are more effective for teachers with few college science credits or little participation in previous inservice programs. (DS)

Investigated proportional reasoning abilities of 35 college science students using projection of shadows problem while presenting relevant only or relevant/irrelevant information. Field independence was measured using Group Embedded Figures Test. Students in relevant only condition performed significantly better. Degree of field independence…

Examines whether retesting: (1) affects achievement of students (N=95) grouped according to previous achievement in science; and (2) influences students to delay studying and perform at a low level on initial tests. Also examines whether procrastination of retested students is affected by their achievement level. (DS)

Determined if modifying Bloom's mastery strategy improves science achievement during a six week human physiology unit. Findings indicate only a small degree of improvement in achievement of 185 students. Suggests that the approach employed in this study would be impractical for the biology classroom. (DS)

Determined the effect of using previsit instructional materials on student learning for a museum field trip experience. Ten earth science classes were assigned to experimental (instruction over field trip) and control (normal class instruction) groups. Found previsit instructional materials significantly increased student test scores. (DS)

A Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) inquiry approach for university general biology laboratory was tested against a well-established commercial program judged to be highly directive. The BSCS was found to be more effective in learning biology laboratory concepts than the commercial program as measured by a laboratory concepts test.…

The Self Lesson Report Form (SLRF) was designed as an alternative to direct classroom observation or to commonly used questionnaires in which students and/or teachers report on general practices used in their classes. Describes the SLRF, assesses its validity/reliability, and illustrates kinds of information obtained using the SLRF in Israel…

Investigated students' (N=43) conceptions of what happens when water boils, evaporates, and condenses, and when ice melts. Results obtained from clinical interviews indicate that childrens' conceptions are quite different from those of scientists and that their ideas can sometimes be influences in unintended ways during instruction. Implications…