Reviews and evaluates the contribution of historical studies in science education with particular reference to the case of England and Wales, where there are a series of challenges that threaten to undermine the enterprise as a whole. Contains 67 references. (DDR)

Science education is not exempt from the general criticism that research has had little effect on classroom practice. Argues that teachers do not reject research about practice, they ignore it. Contains 46 references. (DDR)

Argues that "connective specialization" could be the basis for a science curriculum that would provide people with the capabilities they will need throughout their working lives in the next century. Claims that science teachers need to see science in its relationship to other subjects and fields of study and that they must initiate strategies for…

Summarizes recent findings of empirical research in science education concerning students with disabilities. Discusses learning characteristics of disabled students, effective instructional strategies including text-based interventions and inquiry-oriented interventions, and inclusion practices. Contains 70 references. (WRM)

Uses a theoretical framework derived from Vygotsky's writings to review studies of science classroom discourse interactions between teachers and students. Suggests that shifting the research focus from isolated instructional activities to promote conceptual change toward viewing such activities in the critically influential context of an ongoing…

Describes British teenagers' (n=138) knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward biotechnology with particular reference to food production. Concludes that more than half the teenagers were familiar with the term "biotechnology," but most lacked detailed knowledge of the subject. Teens rated formal schooling in science as an important source of…

Illustrates various aspects of science studies that might be of interest to science educators. Discusses science and technology studies, science education, manufacture of knowledge, representation practices, and theory and method. Concludes that working across the current boundaries would help establish forms of discourse that allow for continuous…

Explores the question of the existence and usefulness of supposed general functions of the mind and the extent to which such functions might be educable. Focuses on the role of education, science education for general development in particular. Contains 99 references. (JRH)

Explores the motivating forces which caused the European Union to come into being and their relevance to education. Attempts to describe the basic essence of the current cultural diversity. Argues for a new approach to comparative educational research, both quantitative and qualitative. Suggests three new and substantial tasks for science…

Offers insight into the sorts of questions that might be asked in scientific inquiry and suggests a new sort of question--What If?--complementary to those questions which have traditionally dominated scientific practices. (PVD)

Examines claims for writing-to-learn science and juxtaposes them with writing practices in both the scientific community and school science. Presents arguments for reconceptualizing the act of writing in science classrooms in light of a characterization of writing in the discourses of science and school science, including recognizing writing as a…

Reviews examples of the use of new communications technologies and assesses their potential application in science learning. Examples include collaboration, virtual experimentation, virtual field trips, and distance education. (PVD)

Presents a bibliographical review of research on undergraduate science education that involves a broad evaluation of the literature that defines the field. Discusses definitions of science education. Contains 306 references. (DDR)

Presents and integrates findings from selected research and evaluation studies of informal science learning in different settings such as school-based field trips, student projects, community-based science programs, visits to museums and zoos, the press, and electronic media. Contains 91 references. (DDR)

Reviews literature in the field of science education that aids in the mapping of the interface between language and science. Lists six categories of disputes regarding the status and value of science and scientific ideas. Contains 181 references. (DDR)