Describes a study of how people use metaphors to make sense of scientific phenomena and ideas in a process of extended group discussion. Interviews that involved reading an edited scientific text on DNA then discussing a number of questions about various aspects of genetics provide the data for this study. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Presents a case study of the teaching of an environmental issue in the physical science curriculum at a Dutch secondary school. Focuses on the interaction between the development of the teaching unit and its use in classroom practice from the student perspective. (DDR)

Reports on a classroom environment study done in agricultural science classes aimed at developing a valid classroom-environment instrument for Nigerian agricultural science classes. The instrument will be used to investigate links between classroom environment and student outcomes. Contains 57 references. (DDR)

Explores the problems primary teachers encounter in science and technology and the extent to which these problems are associated with lack of confidence or background knowledge. Findings indicate that there are some ideas which primary teachers come quickly to understand and others that require more extensive professional development. (DDR)

Focuses on the implementation and results of the Science Foundation Programme (SFP), a year-long pre-degree program designed to identify academically talented but underprepared black students who want to pursue tertiary studies in science or applied science. (DDR)

Identifies behaviors of young children during play on swings that may be consistently observed as evidence of their construction of the physics principles related to pendulums. Findings indicate that children's activities on swings demonstrate their interest in experimenting with balance, force, gravity, resistance, and resonance. Discusses…

Presents two studies that explore the connection between students' language use and how they participate in small-group science activities. Describes the range of language used by groups of students while working with materials in several elementary science classrooms. Examines how students use language in small groups to discuss, clarify, and…

Investigates preservice elementary teachers' responses to a concept attainment task using videodisk pictures and line drawings. Findings indicate that students using videodisk pictures used inferences to construct patterns while students using line drawings in connection with pictures significantly made more observations and developed fewer ideas…

Investigates the content of conversations of three groups: (1) pupils and teacher; (2) pupils and chaperone; and (3) pupils alone during museum and zoo visits. Results indicate that children-only groups commented on behaviors and generated knowledge source remarks significantly less than those groups containing adults, and the presence of an adult…

Examines the attitudes of physics instructors on how and when students should be allowed access to textbook problem solutions. Presents a detailed analysis of 249 survey responses from U.S. and Canadian universities which conveyed a wide range of opinions and comments. Discusses the need to rethink strategies regarding access to solutions. (AIM)

Describes teaching that encourages students to pose and solve authentic questions about science and math, describe the impacts of the academic and social culture in which they live, and use technology both in the design of their investigations and to communicate their findings. The Heron Network is comprised of the Web sites constructed by these…

Offers insights into the gap between objectives of the National Policy on Education and the development of more meaningful and relevant school science materials based on interviews with curriculum developers/textbook authors at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi, India. (AIM)

Provides a background and several definitions for the topic of constructivism. Hopes to provide the public with a better understanding of what constructivism is and how it can be used to further successful instructional processes. (MVL)

Presents the opportunity to continue and enhance the dialogue about ways to research and understand children's discourse during science activities and inquiry processes by opening a window onto a variety of techniques, methods, and approaches to the analysis of one short discussion between several elementary students. (Author/MVL)

This study (n=711), using students from grades 4-7, focused on the following questions: (1) Do any of the variables of gender, ethnicity, ability, and grade have a relationship with student attitudes toward science as a subject? and (2) Is there a significant relationship between students' attitudes toward science and science achievement?…