Addresses the meaning of decision making on societal issues related to science/technology and explores practical implications for secondary science teaching. Cases on marijuana, abortion, and public inquiries are included together with discussion of collective decision making at the global, strategic, personal, and scientific community levels. A…

Explains the "deliberative inquiry model," a strategy developed for investigating science education in Canada. Assumptions of the model are addressed, with information on position papers, curriculum policies, textbook analysis, teacher surveys, and case studies provided. Indicates that the project has created momentum for deliberation which is…

Participants (N=40) in an inservice program to promote student reasoning and learning cycle approach indicated that making changes and maintaining ongoing work was dependent on collaboration between colleagues in the project. Investigators concluded that the "coaching" phase (Joyce and Showers inservice training model) is a crucial step for…

A study comparing cooperative and competitive learning approaches in science was conducted with 630 eighth-grade Nigerian students using five different treatments. Combinations of cooperation and competition were found to be the best methods of instruction. Procedural demands on teachers using these methods were relatively easy. (DH)

Approximately 4000 students participated in a study to determine relationships between attitudes toward science, achievement motivation, and demographic variables over the school year and across grades (6-10) by sex. Positive attitudes and motivation declined steadily across the grades with significant sex differences (males having more positive…

Determined that an instructional unit on laboratory safety could increase student safety knowledge and reduce the number of unsafe behaviors. A list of unsafe behaviors which were observed with the 333 students is included. A recommendation that positive attitudes toward safety be developed is given. (DH)

Examination results from 1146 Jamaican high school students in single-sex and coeducational schools indicated students from coeducational schools had lower performance on all measures. A subsample provided more information on sex differences, performance in individual subjects, and students receiving grades of A or B. (DH)

Addresses philosophical problems of the evolution/creationism debate (including underlying assumptions of creationism and nature of science), suggesting that creationism cannot be presented as science in science courses because it fails to qualify as a science. Prediction and explanation, absolute creationism, and a fundamental difficulty in…

Analyzes three approaches (physical, mental, combined practice) to improving freshman chemistry psychomotor laboratory skills. Although no significant differences were found between treatments, there were significant differences when each was compared to the control sections. Mental practice appears to offer an efficient methods for reinforcement…

Student outcomes were assessed by quantitatively combining results of 57 reported evaluations of three major curriculum programs in elementary school science. Thirty-two percent of the comparisons were statistically significant, favoring activity-based programs; six percent favored control groups. (DH)

Reports on a comprehensive, longitudinal investigation examining influences on commitment to science and achievement in science among adolescent students (N=821). Findings show that science attitude and achievement motivation declined throughout the year, life science achievement increased, and differences in achievement motivation occurred…

Attempts to redefine science education as "the interface between science and society" are critically examined and rejected. Authors support the definition that science education is a discipline devoted to discovering, developing, and evaluating improved methods and materials to teach science (the quest for knowledge and the knowledge generated by…

Defends the definition of science education as the interface of science and society, pointing out the fallacies of an alternative definition promulgated by Good, Herron, Lawson, and Renner who, in a previous article (SE 537 615) examined and rejected the science/society interface definition in favor of their own definition. (DH)

Describes the new primary and secondary-level science curriculum in Sierra Leone as well as new teacher roles and instructional approaches. Indicates that curricular changes in this country should address needs related to job opportunities, the environment, and citizenship. Results of 1972-80 secondary-level biology, chemistry, and physics…

Discusses problems reflecting the crisis in education, presenting general approaches for resolving the problems. Also discusses the California Earthquake Education Project (CALEEP), a program which provides education of current concern (including personal emergency preparedness) to the public. CALEEP activities are successful due to many social,…