A sex-related difference, favoring boys, was found on initial performance of two samples (one British, one American) of 10- and 11-year-old children on tasks involving volume and density. After classroom instruction that included opportunities for interaction with appropriate materials, both sexes performed at higher levels but differences…

Investigated is the effect of organization and accuracy of detail in instructional aids on the achievement of college students (N=54) in a freshman chemistry lecture course. It is indicated that aids may impede learning by decreasing students' involvement in auditory and semantic encoding during lectures. (Author/DS)

Tests and rejects the hypothesis that sensory motor curiosity declines from childhood to adolescence, by conducting a follow-up study of a group of pupils (N=32) whose curiosity behavior was filmed in 1970 when the age range was 6-12 years. Behavior is compared to that of a group in 1976. (CS)

Compares changes in attitudes toward science and open-mindedness in treatment and nontreatment groups of preservice elementary teachers enrolled in an inquiry-oriented methods course and an expository freshman physics course, respectively. Concludes that course design effects a difference in attitude and open-mindedness. (CS)

Analyzes five biology textbooks in 11 categories identified as current controversial issues and biosocial problems. Quantitative ratings for each category, based on total number of textbook pages, are presented for Darwinian evolution, disease states, drugs, environment, human genetics, human reproduction, man in nature, origin of life, population…

Explores the instructional effectiveness of diagnostic testing in mastery teaching. A set of objectives with diagnostic tests were taught to high school students in one of two human psychology classes; the other class was taught by standard instructional methods. Results comparing achievement and attitude indicate no differences for either group.…

Explores the idea that retention of particular concepts must occur before a student can transfer his learning to new situations. Investigates retention and transfer of fifth and sixth graders, in which achievement level was assessed on some advanced concepts as a function of performance on related basic concepts. (CS)

Reports results of interviews designed to elicit responses regarding attitudes of junior high students towards science. Among variables identified as important in attitude formation are teacher personality and interrelationships with students, class activities, work involved, material learned, classmates, grades, readings, and tests. (CS)

Tests O. R. Anderson's theory of kinetic structure of verbal communications by administering lectures on swine flu to high school biology students and then reteaching the lectures with increased commonality. Results weakly support Anderson's theory. Implications are made for training teachers to increase the commonality of their lectures. (CS)

Tests and rejects the hypothesis that mixed-ability grouping enhances pupils' science achievement. Significant differences were found when 11 and 12 year olds (N=160) were compared. Mixed-ability groups using individualized methods performed at a lower level than did homogeneous ability groups. Also reports findings regarding teacher and student…

Examines three issues: the negative nature of today's stereotype of a scientist; the relationship of present stereotypes to course enrollment; and the relationship of the closeness of self-image and stereotype to course enrollment in science. Analysis of semantic differential items reveal differences among science and nonscience college majors.…

Tests the immediate and delayed effectiveness of an instructional module, "Levels of Questioning," designed to improve the level of preservice science teachers' questions. Results indicate that the module was effective in raising the average question level but that skills were not retained. Recommendations are made for revision of the module. (CS)

Compares responses of preservice and current elementary teachers in Indiana on the Ecological Attitudes and Knowledge Test. Results indicate that preservice teachers possess more positive attitudes and higher knowledge scores than current elementary teachers. Confirms geographical nonspecificity of the test by comparing results with an earlier,…

Explores the relationship of an individual's reliance or nonreliance upon concrete cues in problem solving and performance on a model-based measure of hierarchical classification. Level of cognitive development, as determined by performance on Piaget-type tasks, generally predicted hierarchical classification ability of junior- and senior-high…

Tests Suggestology as an appropriate teaching-learning method for college juniors and seniors in an elementary science methods course. Results indicate higher levels of achievement in the Suggestology classes than in the traditional teaching-learning method classes. (CS)