Tested the effectiveness of a program designed to teach children how to conduct and interpret a controlled experiment. Results indicate that the ability to control variables can be taught using the program (which consists of activities related to designing, building, and launching model rockets). (JN)

Investigated the consequences of teacher-student cognitive style (field dependence- FD and independence- FI) matches and mismatches on student achievement in biology. Results suggest that whereas FI students may be taught by and achieve equally well with either FI or FD teachers, FD students are more successfully taught by FI teachers. (JN)

Examined Australian medical school students' (N=150) conceptual frameworks and reasoning patterns related to natural selection. Results indicate that the majority believed that evolutionary changes occur as a result of need. Implications related to student learning and to science and medical education are considered. (JN)

A nine-item questionnaire was used to obtain information from 229 preservice elementary teachers on secondary and college science courses completed, their conception of the purposes of elementary school science, and their concerns about teaching children science. Implications for preparing elementary teachers to teach science are addressed. (JN)

Investigated sex-related differences in science achievement from a science assessment project in British Columbia. Findings (obtained from students in grades 4, 8, and 12) confirm earlier findings that boys outscore girls on items testing understanding and application of scientific knowledge. No sex-related differences on process skills were…

Two persuasive communications were constructed and validated. Validity was tested by verifying the presence of supportive and counterarguments. The one-sided communication was shown to contain only supportive arguments, while the two-sided communication contained both supportive and counterarguments. Implications for instruction are addressed. (JN)

Determined perceptions of science education faculty and graduate students (N=195) concerning how the relative emphasis of major science education objectives should change in grades K-12. Also determined extent of agreement among subjects on the emphases and identified extent to which personal characteristics of subjects related to differences in…

Determined coverage given to 44 topics related to the study of evolution in 105 high school biology textbooks published between 1900 and 1983. Considers trends in popular and Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) textbooks, coverage of evolution in first editions, coverage of creationism, chapter titles and placement, and other areas. (JN)

Discusses a view of observational competence which consists of three proficiencies--proficiency in making observations well, in reporting them well, and in assessing correctly the reports of observations. The conception offers detailed sets of conditions for observing and reporting observations and a set of principles for assessing observational…

Affective item findings from two national assessments (N=2500 for 1977 assessment; N=2000 for 1983 assessment) are reported and compared. Areas examined include attitudes toward teaching procedures, action of science teachers, current science teacher, and science class. Lists of characteristics of exemplary programs and behaviors of exemplary…

Reports and discusses data on incentives being considered to improve the quality and quantity of science in precollege institutions. Incentives (organized into several categories) focus on bringing new individuals into science teaching and upgrading those with science teaching assignments who are not trained to teach science. (JN)

Describes development of tests of student progress and instructional efficiency for 12 Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) units by the Fayette County (Kentucky) schools. Separate tests for each unit (grades one to six) were developed and a subset of items for each major part of a unit were identified. (JN)

Determined if differences in performance on a posttest (in which sections differed in use of manipulative models to answer questions) were attributable to differences in reasoning levels of chemistry students (N=105). Results indicate that reasoning may affect performance under conditions of constant instruction. (JN)

Categorizes researchers as tinkers, tailors, soldiers, and spies and discusses how each group contributes to the improvement of science education. Tinkers direct attention to content of children's minds; tailors focus on cognitive processes and development; spies consider classroom interactions; and soldiers believe best solutions come from those…

Describes science education programs established in Indonesia for high school graduates. The one-, two-, and three-year programs were established in response to the severe and growing shortage of secondary teachers in this country. A complementary inservice distant learning scheme to upgrade semi-qualified graduates of these programs is also…