The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) was tasked with identifying the key science concepts for science literacy in K-12 students in America (AAAS, 1990, 1993). The AAAS Atlas of Science Literacy (2001) has organized roughly half of these science concepts or benchmarks into fifty flow charts. Each flow chart or strand map…

Argues that the present methods of analysis such as pluralism, elitism, and institutionalism are insufficient paradigms to accurately discuss questions of vital concern to American Indian tribes. A study of 40 political science texts found only one considered to be adequate in describing Indian concerns. (GG)

Describes a Harvard University program where midcareer professionals are being retrained as high school mathematics and science teachers. Factors contributing to the program's success include changing demographics/requirements in secondary schools and participant's desire to share their science knowledge with young people. The program's links to…

Summarizes research on inquiry and investigative strategies for teaching laboratory science. Concludes that meaningful laboratory instruction is distinguished by: student engagement in science inquiry processes, student manipulation of experimental materials, and the experiential teaching of specific scientific concepts. (RT)

Describes an interdisciplinary approach to science learning in settings usually associated with the humanities or social sciences. Explains the program, its rewards and results, the self and identity seminar, why the program works, and ways of adapting the program. (RT)

Explains the use of the microcomputer as a multipurpose analytical instrument which frees students from the mechanics of science and allows for more active learning involvement. Provides the typical data acquisition configuration, advantages, disadvantages, and a brief summary. (RT)

Describes research conducted on the organization of information from many disciplines to teach social issues raised by nuclear technology. States that the social sciences provided the organizational base for most courses examined, courses emphasized moral responsibility and political choice, and syllabi emphasized technological, strategic, and…

Reports on the assessment of student thinking in the area of commitment to the laws of conservation of matter and energy during a study of conceptual change among introductory chemistry students. States four conditions upon which strategies for conceptual change are based. (RT)

Provides step-by-step procedures for developing an index which uses the Gunning Fog technique to evaluate the level of reading difficulty of textbooks. Cites examples, illustrations, and several warnings in the discussion. (RT)

Describes a science presentation which promotes various ways to improve laboratory safety. Recommendations for storing chemicals include: minimize the type and amount of stocked materials, purchase certain chemicals in small quantities, and use plastic embedments. Cites several books for reference. (RT)

Reports on a comparison of computer instruction at Japanese and American universities and colleges. Discusses hardware, education of students, computer graphics, and cooperative efforts. States that computer hardware in Japan is of high quality, abundant, and inexpensively accessed, and in America there is a stronger, direct instructional…

Reviews a monograph which addresses children's higher-order thinking skills. Suggests the following for teaching problem solving: identify and develop content-independent and content-dependent problem-solving skills, connect developed skills through workshop-style activities to subject discipline, and help students identify and reconstruct their…

Explains the rationale, program specifics and initiatives for the preparation and development of staff, curriculum, instructional support, and research for science education in the United States. Includes total program cost for each. (RT)

Describes some of the realities associated with engineering careers. Emphasizes the importance of giving students a broader understanding of life as an engineer. Indicates that groups should support research programs to investigate more effective use of trained persons who have been discarded in midcareer. (RT)

Discusses a program in which research groups consisting of faculty, undergraduate students, and graduate students worked on projects in computer graphics, automatic-code generation, or computer-aided instruction. Cites several positive outcomes for students when research is made relevant to the technical subject studied. (RT)