As the third in a four-part series on issues related to science-technology-society (STS), this article discusses Canadian high school graduates' viewpoints on the characteristics and limitations of scientific knowledge. Responses indicated students harbored diverse and contradictory beliefs about scientific knowledge. (ML)

As the fourth in a four-part series on issues related to science-technology-society, this article discusses Canadian high school graduates' viewpoints of the characteristics of scientists. Responses addressed the relationship between scientists and their work, gender distribution of scientists, and perceptions of scientists. (ML)

Reports on a study designed to investigate possible patterned differences in the content of science textbooks and its functional/dysfunctional role in socialization for scientific careers. Discusses instrument development and rationale and presents results comparing use of textbooks in middle-class and working class districts. (ML)

Reviews the major science curriculum programs in Nigeria which stress an integrated approach. Discusses the factors involved in curriculum development and outlines the foundations considered in program implementation and evaluation in primary and junior secondary schools in Nigeria. (ML)

Describes a study that investigated the activities and interactions of teachers and students in two Western Australian high schools. Reports findings dealing with activity structures, reward systems, teacher expectations, and disruptive students. Also contrasts the managerial styles of three teachers. (ML)

Reports on a study which gathered demographic data about New England elementary science methods faculty. Summarizes findings about each faculty member's professional preparation, related work-load responsibilities, and elementary teaching experience as well as other demographic data. Discusses criteria for a model elementary science methods…

Discusses a study which compared differences in ratio construction made by high school freshman and junior students. Reports that more freshmen than juniors selected solutions involving one variable, whereas juniors chose solutions that coordinated two variables in a mathematical or verbal rule. Reviews implications in problem solving and concept…

This study was developed to provide advice to teachers on how to use rules in teaching experimental design in science classes. A review is presented on the use of rule in science teaching and the effects of instructional treatments are assessed on Canadian high school students' skills of experimental design. (ML)

Discusses a study which was designed to examine if spatial-visual skills are related to learning the volume concept and if a particular mode of presentation for teaching volume is preferable for students of differing spatial ability. Results indicate that students of low visual orientation benefit if volume is taught before area and length. (ML)

Describes a study which sought to identify development patterns related to the acquisition of proportional reasoning in two areas, namely electricity and chemical solutions. Results from children ages 9-11 indicated that development of understanding of chemical solutions was asymmetric whereas it was symmetrical with electricity. Includes sample…

Describes an attempt to study and map the development of children's conceptions of materials. Interviews with preschool, first-grade, fourth-grade, and seventh-grade students revealed a dramatic improvement during the years studied in children's abilities to talk and think about materials. (ML)

Reviews a study which investigated children's predictions and explanations of the formation of images through pinholes by use of extended light sources. Interviews with 9- to 13-year-old children at a science center revealed that a prevalent model for image formation involved light that traveled from the sources as a whole. (ML)

A coding scheme was developed which reflected individual differences among students with various handicapping conditions and their adjustment to "hands-on," activity-centered science materials. The scheme was utilized in the observation of four special education student's interactions with the science materials from Science Activities for the…

Reviews and compares results of content analysis studies of selected high school science laboratory handbooks using the Laboratory Structure and Task Analysis Inventory (LAI). Findings from two biology, two chemistry, and two physics handbooks indicate highly structured investigations where students perform manipulative and observational…

Reports on a study to determine whether attitude scores of 120 preservice Nigerian science teachers, measured by the Science Student-Teacher Questionnaire, are significant predictors of practice teaching scores, measured by a student practice teaching evaluation form. Copies of both measures are included in an appendix. (DS)