Investigates what novice teachers think has an impact on their confidence to teach science and technology. Findings indicate that preservice methodology, practicum units, and teaching science and technology during the first year were important considerations and that constructivism as a learning theory that could impact teaching and learning…

Recommends using a simple image, such as the fuzzy atom ball to help students develop a useful understanding of the molecular world. Explains that the image helps students easily grasp ideas about atoms and molecules and leads naturally to more advanced ideas of atomic structure, chemical bonding, and quantum physics. (Author/NB)

Presents a creative way to teach photosynthesis. Revolves around the growth of a lily planted and stored in the classroom. Combines the concepts of particle theory, transformation, and changes of phase and mass in a holistic approach. The six-step teaching sequence is founded on the notions of challenge, variation, and drama. (Author/NB)

Presents an Energy and Change unit developed to assist teaching and learning of why things happen. Uses a series of abstract diagrams that represent thermodynamic change to connect seemingly different situations. Diagrams are intelligible to students, scientifically consistent, useful to teachers, and integrate within science courses. (Author/NB)

Explains scientific character as an attempt to move beyond the ability-centered focus of student learning in science towards recognizing the role of attitude and affect on student performance and the importance of developed patterns of behavior. Highlights the role of inclination and awareness as important factors in the development of scientific…

Uses examples of rich tasks that are linked with traditional science curriculum topics to demonstrate how teachers can come to a better understanding of how to teach topics in context, how rich tasks help build student understanding, and what opportunities exist for making connections within and between topics and disciplines. (Author/YDS)

Presents data illustrating some of the problems that students encounter when learning about force for the first time. The data illuminate the complexity of the task that students face and reveal some difficulties that have received little attention in the literature. Discusses some issues that arise regarding the traditional presentation of…

Points out the importance of students' pre-existing beliefs on students learning and suggests that if new information does not fit with what the students already knows, he or she may simply choose to reject it outright, leaving classrooms having learned nothing. Presents four choices for addressing new information. (Author/YDS)

Reviews research on student learning of science conceptions and presents major findings. Traces changes in science teaching and learning over the last two decades and looks at a variety of teaching schemes that aim to support meaningful learning in science, some based on conceptual change. (Contains 13 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes a project that applies a context-based approach to physics education in order to address a number of problems identified in physics education. Points out that there has been little investigation on the impact of this approach on either teacher practice or student experiences in physics. Investigates teachers' perspective of teaching 'in…

Reports on the Victorian Science in Schools Research Project (VSSRP) which was developed to help teachers support student learning of science content. Reviews research on student learning of science concepts and traces changes over the last two decades. (Contains 46 references.) (Author/YDS)

Reports on the two most commonly used resources on global climate change available on the Internet and provides examples of classroom activities. (Author/YDS)

Discusses undergraduate students' demand for a greater flexibility in the way that they receive their instruction, and introduces instructional changes from a teacher-centered focus to a student-centered focus at the University of Sydney. Uses a virtual learning environment (VLE) to encourage independence and increased flexibility of access.…

Describes the experiences of three primary school teachers as they move from preservice to inservice teaching and explores some of the issues of transition as these teachers learn to teach science. Employs an anthropological framework of border crossing that allows for the difficulties experienced by primary teachers in teaching science to be…

Explains how misconceptions act as barriers to learning and must be addressed by teachers in the delivery of instruction. Points out that if misconceptions are not overcome, no new learning will result from a student's time in the classroom. Reports the results of an action research project that concluded that the majority of students make no…