Understanding the nature of science, especially how scientists err, is an essential tool for: (1) assessing the reliability and scope of scientific claims; (2) perceiving the scope of these claims; and (3) making personal and public decisions. What features of the nature of the science are most important to know? Recent consensus highlights the…

This article reports on a qualitative and quantitative study that explored whether a constructivist Science learning environment, in which 9 to 10-year old Colombian girls had the opportunity to discuss scientific concepts and socio-scientific dilemmas in groups, improved their understanding of the concepts and the complex relations that exists…

This book is an outlined for the short study (1- to 2-weeks) of chronobiology, a field of science that explores the relationships between time and biological functions. It develops step-by-step the reasoning that leads to the current scientific understanding of biological rhythms. The unit can be inserted into a standard middle or high school…

Understanding the nature of science is even more important than mastering its details, says Alan Leshner, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in an interview with Educational Leadership. In this article, Leshner discusses the controversy about teaching evolution, and he asserts that demands to…

Examines the nature of science and art, and discusses the relationship between these two fields of creative human activity. (JR)

The Pacific Mathematics and Science Regional Consortium has developed standards for excellence in mathematics and science education appropriate to the Pacific regions. These standards are presented in three volumes, and the series is firmly based upon the research findings of scientists, teachers, curriculum developers, and others. This volume…

Discusses the nature of man and considers various definitions of the meaning of human being. Concludes that to preserve the uniqueness of man we need to preserve his diversity. (BR)

Defines the changes in the nature of biology during the past 50 years and relates biology to science education. Argues that biology curriculum should focus on human beings and the realities of life and living. (YDS)

This publication is a collection of 15 illustrated papers presented at a symposium at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1975. Manpower specialists examined the present utilization of manpower in each of several science and engineering fields. Past projections of supply and demand were compared with what…

"Of Animals, Nature and People" is one of the "Preparing for Tomorrow's World" (PTW) program modules. PTW is an interdisciplinary, future-oriented program incorporating information from the sciences and social sciences and addressing societal concerns which interface science/technology/society. The program promotes responsible…

The California State University, Long Beach has received a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services in 1995 to carry out a project called "A Head Start on Science." The project's goals were inspired from a book written by world-renowned biologist Rachel Carson entitled "The Sense of Wonder." Carson promoted…

This USMES unit challenges students to find a way to design or make changes in things that they use or wear so that there will be a good fit. The teacher resource book for the Designing For Human Proportions unit contains five sections. The first section describes the USMES approach to student-initiated investigations of real problems, including a…

Describes various activities to understand the nature of the earth as a spaceship and its impact on human life. A figure depicting a holocoenotic environmental complex is given which can be used to illustrate various interacting forces on earth. (PS)

Discusses the nature and consequences of organisms' adaptation to new environments, including examples of adaptation and tolerance, aliens, adventives and invaders, vacant niches, arrival and fate of an adventure, hybridization with native organisms, and invasion without introduction by humans. (DS)

Argues that teaching technology without reference to the human need which calls for it gives students the wrong idea about the nature of technology and hides the importance of testing artifacts for operation in the relevant environment. Contains 40 references. (DDR)