Reports on the effects of six different primary inservice training courses aimed at teachers' motivation, anxieties, hands-on working skills, and support needs. Results showed that primary teachers felt they needed more continuous support in the area of improving their knowledge and understanding of the subject, especially in chemistry and…

Introduces the National Science Education Standards and suggests that the Standards be used as a mechanism for bridging formal and informal science education. Based on a review of the educational effectiveness of science museums, specific science content from the Standards is outlined as potentially useful in informal settings for increasing…

Investigates the effectiveness of combining conceptual change text and concept mapping strategies on students' understanding of diffusion and osmosis. Results indicate that while the average percentage of students in the experimental group holding a scientifically correct view rose, the percentage of correct responses in the control group…

Uses a test to assess teachers' science knowledge and understanding and monitors change over two years of a primary science in-service program in 31 schools. Despite moves to improve primary science teachers' subject knowledge, many still held typical misconceptions. Concludes that teachers need a thorough understanding of interrelated concepts…

Examines the process of student conceptual change regarding thermal expansion using the Dual Situated Learning Model (DSLM) as an instructional approach. Indicates that DSLM promotes conceptual change and holds great potential to facilitate the process through classroom instruction at all levels. (Contains 38 references.) (Author/NB)

Two intact chemistry classes participated in a study and the same teacher taught both a line graphing unit with computer-supported activities and one without. Results indicate that there were no statistically significant interaction effects among treatments and scientific reasoning levels. (Contains 40 references.) (Author/NB)

Indicates that the zoo considers that it has an important role in education and provides many opportunities for learning but that visitors' prime purpose is for entertainment. Concludes that science learning at the zoo is limited for general visitors, but is enhanced for school children by pre- and post-visit activities and strong curricular…

Addresses variations in creative thinking during various stages of a design project and the relationship between creative thinking and motivation factors. Based on a study of Israeli practical engineering students. Appendix includes survey instrument. (Contains 37 references.) (Author/NB)

Presents advice on how to promote student self-learning. Finds that it can be achieved by using specially prepared didactic material, specific recommendations for intellectual work, and general techniques of self-education in independent student work. (Author/CCM)

Reports the use of different types of schemes to teach and learn science subjects. Identifies three different schemas: (1) curricula schemas; (2) schemas of educational content; and (3) algorithmic schemas. (Author/CCM)

Reports on a meeting in China in 1999 that focused on the origins of animal body plans and their fossil records. Discusses the theoretical implications of fossils that preserve internal as well as external structures. (DDR)

Anti-evolutionists are fond of presenting their audiences with numbers of dizzying magnitude that they use to represent incredibly low probabilities for such events as the chance formation of a protein molecule or the origin of life by invoking beloved mathematical law by Borel. Presents an illustration to reveal what Borel really meant. (ASK)

Some of the most impressive-sounding criticisms of the conventional theory of biological evolution involve probability. Presents a few examples of how probability should and should not be used in discussing evolution. (ASK)

Statistics are offered to "prove" odds against the origin of life. Presents a summary analysis of all known examples to be used to check these claims whenever they are brought up in conversations, debates, books, or articles. Addresses scientific work misused by anti-evolutionists and the pseudoscientific assertions of the anti-evolutionists…

Discusses the standards regarding evolution in grades K-12. Lists standards created by some states in response to creationist pressures to obscure or eliminate evolution from their standards. Presents another list of criteria about teaching evolution. (ASK)