Examines effects of NSF institute participation by secondary teachers. Tests alternative hypotheses that (1) an increase in student achievement associated with teacher inservice work may be accompanied by more positive attitudes towards science; or (2) that teachers may increase their students' achievement at the expense of less positive science…

This study focuses on the transmission stage of curriculum implementation, specifically at the interaction level of curriculum developer and teacher. Level of agreement regarding objectives and priorities between evaluators, teachers, and developers was determined for a unit on "colors" developed for primary school children and partially…

Explores variables influencing the cognitive emphasis of teachers' examinations. Examination questions from Nigerian secondary school science teachers were analyzed according to Bloom's Taxonomy. The influence of the following variables on levels of questions was investigated: teachers' educational backgrounds, subjects taught, grade level taught,…

Reports an investigation of the effect of gender on ability to recognize simple definitions of concept words in science, as indicated by differences in test scores and in students' free writing "definitions" of physical science concept words. Significant gender differences favoring boys were found for students (n=1,635) of six Tasmanian high…

Determines that attitudes toward science teaching is related to both gender and previous exposure to science education as a discipline. Gender favoring males was found to be a variable associated with a higher degree of positiveness of attitudes of preservice Nigerian undergraduate science teachers (N=120). (CS)

Identifies possible similarities in an array of 16 instructional models available to teachers and teacher educators and reveals three large categories of models. Analysis of factor scores on 33 instructional parameters suggests which characteristics educators attend to in perceiving models, e.g., affective orientations, application emphases,…

Investigates cumulative effects of SCIS in terms of students' attitudes. Hypothesized and supported is that students exposed to the complete SCIS program would show a greater degree of positive attitude toward science, experimenting, and the scientist than would those not exposed to SCIS. Results indicating sex differences in attitudes are…

Determines the effect on inquiry of different contingencies of reinforcement. Classes of biology students were exposed to one of four treatments: verbal reinforcement and mimicry; using student ideas as reinforcers; using special privileges as reinforcers; and no reinforcement. Results include verifications that verbal reinforcement and mimicry…

Determined the influence of two types of practice (microteaching and modeling) used during process skills instruction on 29 preservice elementary teachers' acquisition and classroom utilization of those skills. Results indicated significant gains in skill acquisition using both methods, although neither method was found to be superior. (DS)

Assesses the effects of a one-day inservice program for junior high school science teachers emphasizing an activity-oriented science curriculum and management strategies necessary for such a curriculum. Results indicate inservice positively affects teacher attitudes toward strategies and student achievement in science. (DS)

Examined two questions: (1) Do high school students perceive the physical sciences as more masculine career fields than the biological sciences; and (2) what is the influence of coeducation on these sex-stereotyped positions? Utilized a questionnaire requiring a rating of 45 career fields as masculine or feminine. (DS)

Surveys environmental science education projects (N=42) before and after 1974 to determine if they use methods typical for science education and to what extent the topics treated in the curricula represent the thinking of the environmental education community. One finding indicates adherence to typical science education instructional methods…

Utilizes a questionnaire to investigate the science teacher/science supervisor interaction in schools and whether or not there are differences in perceptions of supervisory effectiveness between science teachers (N=258) and supervisors (N=143). Differences were found in perceptions concerning inservice, interpersonal and support activities, and…

The extent to which grades 3-7 students (N=424) hold animistic notions and the meanings of these notions were evaluated. A classification test composed of 16 pictures (8 living and 8 inanimate objects) and a questionnaire were used. Ninety-nine percent classified animals, 80 percent classified plants, and 56 percent classified embryos as living.…

Reports on the effect of commercially and locally produced televised science materials used in an inservice program on attitudes of 138 elementary teachers toward science teaching. Indicates materials are more effective for teachers with few college science credits or little participation in previous inservice programs. (DS)