There have been few discoveries in geology more important than "deep time"--the understanding that the universe has existed for countless millennia, such that man's existence is confined to the last milliseconds of the metaphorical geological clock. The influence of deep time is felt in a variety of sciences including geology, cosmology, and…

Research has established that students enter their science classes with ideas about the natural world that do not align with accepted scientific beliefs. The diagnosis of these student preconceptions may be seen as an initial, crucial step in the process of teacher-facilitated conceptual change. So as to capture what science teachers do in their…

This paper reports the design and evaluation of small-scale teaching interventions addressing the epistemology of science as part of the regular high school science courses followed by English students. Although there is a growing consensus that the curriculum should include aspects of the nature of science, there is a limited body of knowledge…

Chemistry learning involves establishing conceptual relationships among macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic representations. Employing the notion of intertextuality to conceptualize these relationships, this study investigates how class members interactionally construct meanings of chemical representations by connecting them to real-life…

Teaching nonscience majors topics in biotechnology through case studies is the focus of this research. Our "Biotechnology, Environment, and Related Issues" module, developed within the "Science for All" framework, is aimed at elevating the level of students' scientific and technological literacy and their higher order thinking skills. The research…

Helping students understand the general nature of scientific models is increasingly regarded as an important goal of the middle and high school science curriculum (e.g., J. K. Gilbert & C. Boutler, 1998. "International Handbook of Science Education"; Kluwer, London; A. G. Harrison & D. F. Treagust, 2000. "Science Education," 352-381). In addition,…

This paper describes the conceptualizations, or mental models, of the nature of the bonding and structure of metals of a group of U.K. college students. It is suggested that these mental models may be understood in terms of the students' prior learning about covalent and ionic bonding, and the prevalence of a common alternative conceptual…

As an instructor in courses for prospective teachers, I am interested in my students' ideas and ways in which they reconstruct their ideas in conversations about science. In the case study presented here, I reflect upon (a) ways in which I engaged prospective teachers in thinking together about their observations of a natural phenomenon, the…

Investigates meanings of an innovative, reform-based curriculum (Active Physics) in various contexts. Explores how meanings of the curriculum transformed as it traveled across space and time. Discusses how aspects of the context enabled innovative science and those that constrained the potential of the curriculum. Demonstrates potential for…

Analyzes how educators currently frame historical stories to portray the process of science. Discusses the importance of narratives of error and recovery from error in illustrating the nature of science and its limits. Emphasizes history that conveys the nature of science effectively. (Author/KHR)

Investigates the role of the nature of science in decision making on science- and technology-based issues. Delineates factors and reasoning associated with types of decisions. Compares decision influence factors and decision-making strategies. Indicates that participants based their decisions primarily on personal values, morals/ethics, and social…

Debates the strengths and limitations of standards-based science education reform in the United States. Examines California science content standards and critiques it and the ways that such standards narrowly frame science education for the state's teachers and students. Suggests awareness of the challenges in using standards to achieve education…

Investigates preservice science teachers' beliefs about science teaching and learning through reflections on teaching lower track science students. Studies preservice teachers enrolled in a field-based secondary science methods course working with rural Black children. Discusses implications for teacher education and research. (Author/KHR)

Examines views and practices of first-year science teachers, graduates of a teacher education program in California, focusing on gender equity and multicultural education. Explores teachers' attempts at the nature of science and implementing equitable instruction in classrooms. Discusses commonalties across teachers' successes and struggles in…

Provides a critical analysis of the implementation of an innovative science curriculum at a middle school site. Explores the issues that surround teacher learning of new practices including the structures, policies, and practices that were in place within the reform context that supported or impeded teacher learning. Identifies parallels between…