Discusses investigations into the ability of students to understand their science texts. Outlines some research, both in Jamaica and Australia, which suggests that there is need for teachers to be concerned about the value to students of some of the written materials provided for them. Contains 21 references. (JRH)

Explores the interaction and sequencing of hands-on activities, writing, and reading in the science classroom viewed from a constructivist perspective. Describes the Hands-On, Writing and Reading for Understanding approach designed to accommodate various learning styles and to challenge and direct student learning. Discusses sequencing of…

Addresses the facilitative role of teachers in helping students develop the ability to evaluate ethical issues that arise from transplantation technology. Describes the implementation and evaluation of a bioethics unit. Findings indicate that student-centered strategies can provide opportunities for students to clarify, reflect critically on, and…

Reports on research into the cognitive basis of children's alternative conceptions regarding light and sight. Highlights three factors that were found to interfere with effective teaching in science and suggests ways teachers can modify their approaches to circumvent them. Discusses ambiguity and the role of language, experience and concepts, and…

Suggests ways in which teachers can help students learn investigation and problem-solving skills on open investigation tasks. Includes matching the degree of openness of the investigations to the experience and skills of the student, providing scaffolding to support student decision making, and using formative and student self-assessment. (JRH)

Examines the processes of science focusing on the higher-order skills and the role that relevance may play in their acquisition. Argues that an open inquiry style of instruction appears best suited to stimulating the learning of process skills because it allows students to pursue problems of genuine relevance. Contains 26 references. (JRH)

Describes three methods used in the calculation of height in a high school curriculum package for rocketry. Discusses some assumptions in the approaches. (JRH)

Proposes a model for conceptualizing changes in novelty experienced by students in informal settings. Presents a case study and discusses patterns of verbal and non-verbal student behavior with reference to the level of novelty experienced. Reports that student behavior was found to vary with changes in the level of novelty experienced. Contains…

Summarizes a report about professional credentials presented to the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). Presents a rationale for the involvement of ASTA in the development of science teaching standards, a summary of the state of teacher evaluation, and a discussion of future options for ASTA's involvement in standards. (DDR)

Describes research that documents the falsification of laboratory results by chemistry and physics students. Discusses some factors that encourage students to fabricate results and why some students do not feel the need to falsify data. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Describes the application of a teaching model to the teaching of a science course entitled Changes in Matter. Discusses the teaching sequence and the outcomes of the unit in terms of students' conceptual development. Concludes that the approach requires a conceptual, methodological, and attitudinal change for teachers and students. (DDR)

Gives details of three experiments with alcoholic fermentation by yeasts which yield carbon dioxide and ethanol. Lists procedures for making cider, vinegar, and fermentation gases. Provides some historical background and detailed equipment requirements. (DDR)

Describes chemistry software that is part of a balanced educational program. Provides several applications including graphs of various relationships among the elements. Includes a brief historical treatment of the periodic table and compares the traditional historical approach with perspectives gained by manipulating an electronic database. (DDR)

Describes a study that compares the achievement of biology students (N=48) under the conditions of self-regulation and a traditional approach. Concludes that higher measures of reported self-regulation were significantly associated with higher academic performance scores. Contains 22 references. (DDR)

Reports on a study that explored alternative ways of presenting chemistry in junior high schools through the use of an attitude survey taken by students (N=593). Analyzes and discusses student suggestions for curriculum, teaching strategies, and learning environments. Contains 15 references. (DDR)