Collaborative summer workshops between the Omaha (Nebraska) Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln were held to improve the learning environment in multicultural science classrooms. Workshop themes included multicultural understanding, cooperative learning, and problem solving. Discusses attitude changes in student/teacher…

Analyzes the cognitive processes and kinds of knowledge needed to work in a scientific domain like physics. Discusses the processes needed to interpret scientific concepts, uses of quantitative and qualitative descriptions, hierarchical ways of organizing scientific knowledge, and processes facilitating problem solving. Describes the use of these…

Uses a modified Chambers' Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) to examine elementary and middle school students' (n=289) images of science and scientists. Reports an increase in sophistication and complexity in the images according to progressively higher grade levels. Concludes that students often draw images strikingly similar to those presented in…

Compares the effects of using two- and three-dimensional model representations of molecular structures on student learning of organic chemical structures. Reports that students using both three-dimensional computer models and ball-and-stick models scored higher on the three-dimensional retention test of isomeric identification but lower on a…

Examines the effects of an increase in the number of required science courses in the elementary teacher education program that was the result of a previous study on knowledge and efficacy beliefs among preservice elementary teachers regarding science education. Reports that science content knowledge did not increase but there were positive changes…

Surveyed undergraduates (N=300) to gain an appreciation of the collusion rate of college students in science classes. Reports that 83% of the respondents had cheated in science sometime in their lives, the vast majority had shared homework answers, and over three quarters of the students admitted to cheating on large exams and major projects.…

Examines some misuses of technology and explores the use of technology in the context of educational reform. Focuses on the integration of technology in the educational process to provide a learning environment that allows discovery and creativity. Concludes that teachers need to be trained to evaluate and select systems that are effective for…

Presents two studies of the nature of science educators' use of the Internet and electronic resources and the environment in which that usage takes place. Includes telephone survey interview schedule and Internet survey instrument. (Author/MKR)

Traces the roots of contemporary collegiate education in the United States, discusses current emphasis on integration, and suggests a new construct for systemic change in baccalaureate engineering education in terms of a taxonomy of intellectual components connected holistically with a core focus on developing human potential. (Author/MKR)

Observations of high school physics students in an instructional experiment with an interactive learning environment in geometrical optics indicated that students in the Optics Dynagrams Project went through major conceptual developments as reflected in the diagrams they constructed. (Author/MKR)

Discusses factors critical in forming a distance-learning institute: quality of learning provided each student, whether courses work for very large numbers of students, and cost per student hour for both development and delivery. Includes strategies for developing curriculum units needed to support distance learning. (Author/MKR)

Contends that technology has the potential to trigger an educational revolution, although technology alone cannot fix our ailing educational system. (Author/MKR)

Describes a teacher education program designed to increase preservice teachers' confidence in their ability to instruct elementary children in hands-on science. (Author/MKR)