Provides a brief analysis of the nature of science teaching and curriculum development in science in Africa during the past two decades. Also suggests possible future directions. Included is a table listing several African curriculum projects with related general principles fostered and materials used. (JN)

Discusses features of the "Basic Science" course in Japan; reasons why few students selected basic science; the development of Science I and Science II (results of the curriculum revision); and the relationship between Basic Science, Science I, and Science II. Science I and II objectives are provided in the appendices. (JN)

Calls for action to mitigate the crisis in science education that emerged in 1982 from segments of the American population, including scientists, science educators, and politicians. Florida's response to the crisis is reported, considering pertinent legislation, implementing the legislation, and the Florida Omnibus Education Act of 1984. (JN)

Reviews knowledge of the following three related areas of concern: (1) the portrayal of science and scientists in popular culture; (2) community attitudes toward science and scientists; and (3) student perceptions of scientists. The relevance of these three areas of concern for science educators is also addressed. (JN)

Argues that Venn Diagrams are powerful probes of students' understanding of the meanings of terms and the relations between concepts. Examples of the various classroom contexts in which the diagrams can be used are provided. (JN)

Investigated (1) conceptions 40 African students used in solving floating/sinking problems; (2) nature of these conceptions; (3) kinds of arguments of epistemological commitment they displayed in their responses; and (4) if their conceptions differed from scientific conceptions. (JN)

Reports on a longitudinal study of retention of science learning carried out in Israel (from grade 8 to grade 10, ages 13-16). Findings show that retention of meaningful school materials does exist from one course to another, even over relatively extended materials. (JN)

Contains the fourteenth installment in the series of annual Summaries of Research in Science Education. The review is organized around specific disciplines at specific grade levels. Topics without specific disciplines or age levels and those that cut across these categories have been given separate headings. (ML)

Reviews the goals and results of the 1985 U.S.-Japan Seminar on Science Education. Contains a table which lists Japanese Science Education periodicals and includes descriptive information on each. The language of most of the journals is Japanese, but in some instances English information is available. (ML)

Presents a listing of resources of English language publications concerning science education in Japan. Consists of a section on science and engineering education and a three part section addressing the context for science education in Japan. Included are listings of publications, descriptive reports, and studies of schools. (ML)

Presents information on the perceptions of students (from third, seventh, and eleventh grade) and young adults concerning science classes, their science teachers, and the value of science content. Includes data from the Third Assessment of Science (1977), National Science Supervisors Association Study (1982), and National Science Teacher…

Examines the relationships between environmental influences and adolescent's attitudes toward science. Designed as a part of a large longitudinal, multidimensional study, this research focused on the role that self, family, and classroom environment had in attitude formation. All variables indicated a positive relationship, with classroom…

Describes the development, revision, and partial validation of an instrument to assess preservice elementary teachers' process orientation toward science. Suggests that the Process Orientation Toward Science Scale (POTSS) be used as a diagnostic measure of preservice elementary teachers' process orientation toward science and understanding of the…

Presents a case study of science education in Papua, New Guinea and discusses efforts for implementation of a "Science for All" policy. Includes a description of the physical, cultural, and political setting of the nation and explains its approach to primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools. (ML)

Examines the content and methodology of the teaching of human evolution in the schools of the People's Republic of China. Reviews the aims and goals of science teaching and their effects on the teaching of evolution. Emphasizes evolution, compatibility with China's political doctrines, and includes illustrations of instructional materials. (ML)