Describes the development of a revised Scientific Attitude Inventory (SAI II). Reports on a field test of the revised instrument. Concludes that the revised instrument is a significant improvement over the original. Appendix includes position statements and corresponding attitude statements. Contains 21 references. (Author/JRH)

Explores the work done in revising and field testing the Scientific Attitude Instrument and raises doubts about the instrument's validity. Discusses consideration of approaches to validity, conceptual analysis of science attitude instruments, using other studies to establish validity, and guidelines for valid instruments. Contains 12 references.…

Investigated the use of a hands-on laboratory program for improving student attitudes toward science and increasing student achievement levels in science knowledge. Findings indicated that students who had laboratory instruction scored higher in achievement and showed a positive correlation between attitude and achievement. No significant…

Compares two theories of assessing functional knowledge for intuitive physics using choice and functional measurement responses (N=40) in two situations. Reports that the choice theory showed substantial frequencies of stepwise rules while functional measurement showed that most subjects integrated the two variables. Concludes that functional…

Investigates student (N=16) misconceptions concerning electrochemistry related to galvanic, electrolytic, and concentration cells. Findings indicate that most students demonstrating misconceptions were still able to calculate cell potentials correctly. Discusses common misconceptions and possible sources of these. Contains 33 references.…

Investigates the conceptions and representations of light propagation, image formation, and sight typical to preinstruction learners (N=139). Findings indicate that preinstructional students display some familiarity with optical systems, light propagation, and illumination patterns and have not developed a consistent descriptive and explanatory…

Reports on a project where 25 preservice and recently inducted science teachers analyzed materials of Project 2061 and the National Science Education Standards, created an evaluation instrument, and developed and analyzed teaching units. Suggests methods to help new teachers understand science education reform and create products that can be used…

Argues that the National Science Education Standards uses a discourse of invisibility to lay out its reform for science education and does not directly address ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, and theoretical issues. Proposes that the standards ought to provide arguments and evidence in support of the reasons why equity should be a guiding principle…

Investigates whether basic tenets for the "nature of science" are also held by philosophers of science and explores possible related philosophical positions underpinning differences in responses. Reports that the philosophers expressed significant disagreements with the tenets and different philosophers varied on their views about the tenets.…

Investigates students' causal beliefs about the relationship between variables in an electric experiment and the degree to which their tendency to make either idea-based or evidence-based statements depends on a prior belief about the causal efficacy of that variable. Reports that 34% of responses were idea-based despite the presentation of…

Examines experiences of university students in an outreach program designed to teach science and foster positive attitudes toward science in younger children. Reports positive responses from teachers and children. Highlights the value of providing diverse and challenging experiences for children and the need for dialog and reflection on those…

Examines ways in which students collaborate to construct, use, and revise conceptual and strategic knowledge as they solve complex genetics problems. Concludes that students used three types of knowledge during model revision: knowledge of genetics, knowledge of the process of model revision, and knowledge of their own problem-solving strategies…

Characterizes specific spatial abilities required in geology studies through the examination of the performance of high school students in solving structural geology problems on the geologic spatial ability test (GeoSAT). Concludes that visual penetration ability and the ability to perceive the spatial configuration of the structure are…

Examines gender differences in fifth- and sixth-grade students' self-reports of confidence, motivation goals, and learning strategies in whole-class and small-group sessions. Overall, results reveal few gender differences and indicate that students report greater confidence and mastery motivation in small-group lessons. Contains 55 references.…

Investigates the patterns of students' conceptual restructuring within the theoretical framework of biologic evolution. Results indicate that many conceptions in this content are closely interwoven, so that a change in one conception requires a change in many others. Reports four patterns of conceptual change: cascade, wholesale, incremental, and…