Documents significant events surrounding the formation of the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) and the stages through which its structures, management, publications, and services to members evolved during its first 50 years. (Contains 52 references.) (DDR)

Captures the spirit of reviews from selected 'Australian Science Teachers' Journal' issues over 50 years through excerpts. Intended for reviewers, focuses on extracts that can provide insight into the perspectives of their colleagues of decades past. (DDR)

Analyzes earth science content emphasis as related to the National Science Education Standards. Surveys the amount of time that teachers spend teaching the earth science topics named in the Standards. (CCM)

Presents advice for preparing a portfolio to document science teaching performance. Includes lesson plans for a teacher education portfolio assignment and a description of useful portfolio components. (WRM)

Describes the difficulties that high school and university students have in thinking about force, identifying forces, and drawing force diagrams. Finds that students using a computer tutoring program made limited progress in learning to construct free-body diagrams because of their alternative conceptions and faulty teaching methods. Offers…

Describes the development and implementation of a senior high school biology lesson concerned with organ transplantation. Discusses the teacher's rationale and techniques for using controversial issues in science teaching. (Contains 18 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes an activity in which students gather information on a field trip to South Stradbroke Island in Australia and conduct a symposium on whether it would be suitable to build a resort on the island. Students role-play the viewpoints of various special interest groups that would be involved in the controversy. (Author/WRM)

Presents a teaching activity that uses photographs and diagrams to simulate two microscopic laboratory techniques used to observe the structure of chromosomes. Techniques include observation of squashed onion root tips and the salivary glands of some fruitfly larvae. (WRM)

Biotechnology and its applications, such as the discovery of DNA used in the identification of genes, are now having significant impact on everyday life. Discusses the impacts of DNA technology and genetic modification practices. Introduces the Human Genome Project whose aim is to determine the order of each of the 3.3 billion bases of human DNA.…

Australia's most serious environmental problem is the loss of biological diversity, or biodiversity. Australia harbors much of the world's species diversity and has remarkably high numbers of endemic species. Reviews current threats to biodiversity and efforts to protect and enhance it in Australia. (Contains 29 references.) (Author/ASK)

Reviews some ways in which developments in biotechnology can be used to explore both biology and the social impact of this science on the wider community. Includes specific examples to help students explore the ramifications of biotechnology. Reviews approaches that can help teachers help students address social, ethical, and political issues…

Describes a teaching sequence on gaseous pressure implemented in a group of pre-service primary teachers in Fiji that provides subjects with a strong visual model of particle behavior which they then applied to a series of collaborative science activities for which they attempted to construct explanations. Suggests that this teaching sequence…

Describes ways to teach science using music. Features activities examining the nature of waves, reflection, frequency, and wavelength. (SAH)

Describes a regional science fair in Indiana. Presents guidelines for organization and registration, rules and regulations, display and presentation, science fair advancement opportunities, and other competitions. (SAH)

Explores high school biology and the teaching of genetics. The question is asked, Can the use of relevant, meaningful human genetics concepts diminish the number of misconceptions formed between new and existing concepts? Can the application of the Ausubelian learning theory also decrease the acquisition of misconceptions? (SAH)