Reports on the analysis of science curricula carried out across Canada within the framework of the Second International Science Study by: (1) describing the background to the study and the research methodology employed; (2) showing how data were organized; and (3) discussing meanings derived from the data analysis. (JN)

Sex-related differences on Piagetian horizontality (water level) and verticality (plumb line) tasks were examined by testing 64 college students. Results showed that college-aged males and females generally did not differ in spatial competence although they may be differentially influenced by task content. Implications for theory and practice are…

The influence of five background variables (sex, race, home environment, amount of homework, and parents' education) on three dependent variables (student perception of science instruction, student attitudes, and student achievement) was examined. Sex, race and home environment were shown to have influence on science achievement. Other results are…

The actual and preferred students' perception of classroom learning environment was measured using a modified Hebrew version of the Learning Environment Inventory (LEI). This (validated and analyzed for reliability) was given to chemistry (N=1080) and biology (N=400) students. Results and implications are discussed. (Author/JN)

Examined trends in teachers' recommendations for changing elementary and junior high school science programs between 1978 and 1982. Results discussed are based on responses of British Columbia teachers- 3,040 teachers in 1978 and 1,631 in 1982, with return rates ranging from 77.5 percent to 85 percent. (JN)

Visits to six school districts which were identified by the National Science Teachers Association's Search for Excellence program were made during 1983 by teams of 17 researchers. Their reports were analyzed in search for common characteristics that can explain the requirements necessary for excellent science programs. These characteristics are…

Analyzed outcomes of using worksheets or simulation games in a high school biology course. Results (based on data obtained from 83 students) showed that students taught by the simulation game method had comparable achievement gains to students taught using worksheets. Differences related to sex are noted and discussed. (JN)

A Prelaboratory Preparation Period (PPL) was developed to introduce freshmen level students to weekly laboratories. Results (based on data obtained from 233 chemistry students) show that the PPL increased the academic achievement of students enrolled in the introductory chemistry course. (JN)

At ages 11-15, 25 intellectually highly-able youths studied high school biology and 12 studied chemistry intensively for 3 summer weeks, after which their median score on the College Board's achievement test was 727 (biology) and 743 (chemistry). Implications of these and other results for science instruction are discussed. (JN)

Identified a set of variables which characterize science course enrollment by black secondary students. The population consisted of a subsample of 3963 black high school seniors from The High School and Beyond 1980 Base-Year Survey. Residency in a given census area and English grades were significant predictors of science enrollment. (JN)

Integrated quantitatively the collective research dealing with the effects of the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) on student performance and attitude. The weighted mean effect size was 0.09, indicating that the performance of ISCS students was 0.09 standard deviations about the performance of students in traditional science courses.…

To facilitate science teachers' use of classroom climate assessments, economical short forms of the Classroom Environment Scale, Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire, and My Class Inventory were developed. Each instrument contains only 25 items and is amenable to easy hand scoring. Developmental procedures, reliability, validity, and…

Determined if junior high school students prefer to study plants or animals and if their preferences are related to variables of grade level and/or sex. Findings show that, overall, students prefer animal study over plant study. Other findings (such as girls having a greater interest in biological topics than boys) are discussed. (JN)

This paper reports the evaluation of instructional provisions designed to foster higher cognitive skill in a computer programming course. This intervention explicitly encourages novice programmers to engage in the problem-solving skill of planning. (Author)

Developed and validated anecdotal and data-summary persuasive communications and tested their effect on preservice teachers' attitudes toward supplementing traditional, textbook-based science programs with either Science-A Process Approach or the Science Curriculum Improvement Study. Results show that anecdotal nature communications were more…