The National Science Education Standards emphasize a goal that students should achieve scientific literacy, which is defined as the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts needed in daily living. Scientific literacy enables people to not only use scientific principles and processes in making personal decisions but also to participate in…

Science/Technology/Society (STS) as a reform effort has been active in Iowa for three decades. A program called Iowa Chautauqua has evolved over the four decades to promote K-12 STS teaching in Iowa's 300 school districts. This is a study of how teachers have become Teacher Leaders of the reforms and lead other teachers who enroll as new…

During the last quarter of a century, it became abundantly clear that the desired reforms in science teaching and learning could not be accomplished without significant professional development of in-service science teachers. Yet, there was a dearth of effective professional development models that could lead to the kind of instructional reforms…

There has been a wealth of research examining learning environments as one of the variables that contributes to academic success for students studying science. A constructivist learning environment has been explored as one way to assist students in achieving greater success with science learning. There is a lack of research concerning how and if…

Fifteen 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-grade teachers from five school districts each taught two sections of science--one with a Science-Technology-Society (STS) approach and the other with a more traditional textbook approach in which basic science concepts were the major organizers. Local, current, and personally relevant issues provided the context and…

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the Chautauqua Professional Development Program in terms of the mastery of basic science concepts, understanding major science processes, use of creativity skills, improvement of student attitudes toward science, and the ability to apply science concepts and processes in new situations.…

Lead teachers were a major part of a staff-development program first offered in 1983 for science teachers in Iowa. Later, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) reform project called Scope, Sequence, and Coordination (SS&C) involved 20 school districts and worked annually with new teachers involved during the 7-year funding period,…

The National Science Education Standards include suggested visions for changing staff development programs for preparing new teachers and working with inservice teachers. Analyzing the visions for the most successful programs precedes the identification of programs that best match the NSES visions. The National Science Teachers Association is…

Investigates the difficulties that teachers experience in Japan and the United States when they attempt to move to a more constructivist approach in their teaching. (Contains 14 references.) (YDS)

Investigates how Russian teachers interested in adopting aspects of the U.S. science education reform movement compared with two groups, traditional U.S. science teachers and constructivist U.S. science teachers. Analyzes the total rubric score and Russian/traditional U.S., and Russian/constructivist U.S. groups. (Contains 20 references.)…

Describes the dissemination and implementation of the Iowa Chautauqua Program model of professional development for advancing science education reforms within the United States and in several settings abroad. Contains 15 references. (WRM)

Reports on the Iowa Project, a broad effort in 20 school districts where a Science-Technology-Society (STS) approach was emphasized through a constructivist philosophy of teaching and learning. Results indicate the project's success in four areas: strengthening teacher confidence and knowledge base, encouraging teachers' use of innovative…

Reports the proposed indicators of desired directions and future foci for science education. Lists indicators most frequently mentioned by persons involved in the 1979 annual meetings of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching and the National Science Teachers Association. Implications are discussed. (CS)

Offers a rationale for and definition of science education, namely, the discipline concerned with the study of the interaction of science and society, the impact of science upon society, as well as the impact of society upon science. (JN)

Discusses the dangers of quick-fix solutions to the current crisis in science education and the need for a philosophical base and theoretical teaching strategies. Proposes science and mathematics study as requirements for grades K-14 and implementation of a vertically articulated curriculum. Concludes by calling for pluralistic response to the…