The design of a "percent computer" that uses the concept of similar triangles is presented. The device can be easily made by elementary and secondary pupils out of graph paper and string. Sample student problems are included. (MP)

Determines effectiveness of the active game medium compared with a conventional method of teaching mathematical concepts to second grade children. Two separate groups were taught 15 lessons by each method and were given pre, post, and interval tests. Results indicate no significant difference between the two teaching methods. (DS)

Suggested are sight word activities which will help students recognize both language and mathematical symbols in reading materials. Activities described include context clues, structural analysis, phonic cues, and dictionary skills. (DS)

Explores the development of science interest among high school students (N=147) chosen to attend 1978 North Carolina Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. A survey was used to determine the intensity, initiation, maintenance, derivation, and areas of interest. Seventy-four percent of the students claimed interest in science developed through…

Determines if grade nine students (N=98) experiencing similar instructional characteristics but participating in either mastery or traditional labs would demonstrate different concept retention levels. A matched pairs design was employed. Results indicate mastery-based instruction fosters an improvement in cognitive learning of students in this…

Questionnaires were administered to 22 elementary teachers to determine: (1) what kind of manipulative materials they had in their classrooms; (2) frequency of use; (3) way they were used; and (4) who used them. Findings indicate manipulative materials, when available, were infrequently used or were used for deductive, skills/fact-oriented…

Three density questions were administered to 290 ninth-grade students to assess their understanding of this concept. Found two-thirds of students understand displacement and/or density concepts. Three solubility questions were administered to 385 ninth-graders to assess understandings of solubility. Found students have difficulty with some aspects…

Determines if elementary teachers' (N=138) understanding of SCIS concepts and teaching strategies change as a result of a televised inservice program using confidence levels as a criterion for understanding. Findings indicate that an inservice program consisting of televised sessions significantly improves teachers' understanding of SCIS concepts…

Summarizes findings of seven studies dealing with how teacher behavior affects student performance in activity-centered science classrooms at the elementary and junior high school levels. Concludes that activity-centered classrooms encourage student creativity in problem solving, student independence, and help low ability students overcome initial…

Explores evidence supporting need for the study of statistics at the high school level, considers the scope and sequence of a unit on statistics for high school students, and considers some relevant and useful activities for use with such a unit. (Author/DS)

Compares two methods of teaching second graders to read time from a regular clock: (1) Method A--students assign hour:minute readings for increasingly more times shown; (2) Method B--students assign hour:minute readings with fewer minute marks numbered. Indicates method B yielded greater student gains than method A. (DS)

Describes LOGO programming activities accomplished by seventh grade students in France, including those involving graphics, geometry, and movement commands. Includes descriptions of various LOGO commands (statements) used by students as well as program listings. (JN)

Avi Hofstein and Robert E. Yager recently published "Societal Issues as Organizers for Science Education in the 80's" (EJ 273 207). Objections to their thesis are discussed indicating, among others, that their suggestions would be counterproductive to their stated goals and open to dangerous manipulation by anti-scientific factions and social…

Offers a defense of societal issues as organizers for school science programs in response to criticisms of this thesis discussed in SE 534 649. Indicates that there appears to be no evidence that using nontraditional topics as organizers will make science more subject to manipulation and perversion. (JN)

Discusses some of the difficulties associated with the identification of scientific talent and briefly reviews some of the research in the area of scientific ability. Also describes one strategy that has been used with success to identify the scientifically talented. (JN)