Compared preservice elementary teachers (N=58) and geology students (N=51) on their ability to identify rocks and minerals. Anxiety levels were different between the preservice teachers (high) and the geology students (low). Further analysis of geology students indicated a reverse relationship between anxiety and exam performance. (Author/DH)

Examines readability of elementary science textbooks regarding visual supplements (color, visuals, and page layout). Significant relationships were found between cloze scores and both grade level and content. Also found significant interaction between grade and sex in favor of older males. Eight of nine texts were at or near readability…

Determined whether small groups would stimulate creativity more than individualized learning environments for fifth- and sixth-grade students (N=111). Results indicated that small groups were more creative with electrical circuits and that this grouping format should be used in elementary classes. (Author/DH)

A 31-item survey was sent to New England teacher education institutions (certified to prepare elementary teachers) to compare the elementary science education resources available in their libraries. Discussed are implications of such findings as significant differences between graduate and nongraduate institutions' journal holdings for science…

Examined 103 articles from journals/periodicals related to science education to: (1) determine which were most popular; (2) verify or refute paucity of research data about secondary teachers' journal/periodical reading patterns; and (3) study reading patterns within the secondary school teaching areas. (JN)

Investigated spatial thinking abilities of sixth- and tenth-grade students from two locales--a school on the Navajo reservation and schools in Mesa, Arizona. Overall findings support the contention that there were no substantial time delays or advances in development of selected spatial abilities of Navajo students compared to parallel non-Indian…

Investigated proportional reasoning of a select group of older, college-bound adolescents on a task set in a geometric/spatial context with a multiple-proportion, multiplicative structure. Sex-related differences and the influence of course experience in mathematics and science were also investigated. (JN)

Determined whether males, females, minorities, and nonminorities are quantitatively and qualitatively represented in the illustrations of seven contemporary elementary science textbooks (grades 1-6) in a manner that is reflective of society as it was, is, and should be. Results (based on examination of over 5,900 illustrations) are reported and…

Students in a treatment group turned in written summaries of eight lectures, which were returned with chemistry and writing mistakes noted. Although achievement gains were found, results may have been due to the processes involve in organizing/writing the summaries or to the additional time required to complete the assignments. (JN)

This exploratory study determined whether a mathematical model of mastery learning provided a good fit for achievement data obtained from student progress in an introductory, college-level astronomy course for nonmajors. Results provide positive but not compelling evidence that the model of mastery learning is correct. (JN)

Determined if subjects' (N=79) cognitive responses to a persuasive communication are more highly correlated with attitude change than the recall of arguments presented in the communication. Subjects were exposed to a systematically designed persuasive communication and then tested for their retention of arguments presented in the communication and…

Examines research in developmental psychology and science education that has attempted to assess the validity of Piaget's theory of formal thought and its relation to educational practice. Position papers (with little or no empirical support) are not included. (Author/JN)

Students in a classroom with living plants and animals scored higher on knowledge of biology and attitude toward science and sciencing measures than students in a control group. These findings suggest that living displays serve to stimulate interest and curiosity which in turn influence attitude and achievement. (Author/JN)

Investigated implications of cognitive development of preservice teachers (N=91) as it related to their classroom teaching performance. Results obtained support a general portrait of teaching behavior specifically related to teachers of differing cognitive functional levels. Implications for professional training programs are discussed. (Author/JN)

Identified 25 variables (12 of which were scale-specific) related to changes in students' conceptions of science. In addition, a comparison between teacher and student conceptions of science did not support the prevalent assumption that a teacher's conception of science is significantly related to changes in students' conception of science.…