Defines the Cognitive Difficulty Level (CDL) as number of schemes required for solution (NS) times the required learner's resources (Problem Solving Taxonomy [PST] level). Describes the validation procedures of the CDL index in high-school level electronics. (Author/YP)

Reported is a case study of science teaching in middle and upper primary school classes. The background of the schools, teachers and students, classroom observations and classroom environment are described. Exemplary classes were materials-centered and encouraged formulation and testing of predictions. Other characteristics are listed. (CW)

Presents a method for representing students' knowledge about basic scientific concepts by classifying ideas produced in a free-writing task. Implies that those differences which exist can best be attributed to general fluency in the language of instruction rather than factors that are specific to the learning of science. (Author/CW)

Describes the implementation and evaluation of a constructivist course for science teachers in which teachers are inducted into "critical constructivism" through their own action-research projects. Illustrates the induction process and professional development of one biology teacher of 13- to 15-year olds in Brazil. Contains 23…

Describes an investigation of students' problem-solving strategies as seventh-grade students (n=10) attempted to design a solution to a technological problem. Concludes that novice designers use highly iterative rather than linear strategies, develop their ideas using three-dimensional materials rather than two-dimensional sketches, and develop…

Defines textbook genre as the manner of presentation of material and implied relationship between the author and reader. Describes a method of objectively dividing textbooks into moves separated by shifts in emphasis, and gives a genre analysis of an exemplar textbook to demonstrate how the technique might be useful in evaluating textbooks for…

Reports on a study of pupils (n=1549) aged 13 to 16 attending 12 Protestant and 12 Catholic schools in Northern Ireland and their attitudes toward science. Concludes that girls, oldest students, and pupils in Catholic schools hold less positive attitudes toward science in the school curriculum and towards science as a career. Contains 36…

Discusses the performance of 11th-grade students from Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Trinidad (n=1216) on an Errors in Biological Labeling Test (EBLT). Concludes that performance was low in six categories of errors, and that girls performed significantly better on each category of error than did boys. Contains 15…

Argues that procedural understanding--or the "know-how" of science--is a key issue in employment but one that is not easily identified. When questioned about the science they use in their work, employers and employees tend to refer to traditional scientific concepts and find it difficult to describe the procedural knowledge required in…

Presents aspects of current thinking about the environment within the international community. Discusses an inquiry into practice among secondary science teachers (N=81) in England. Contains 38 references. (DDR)

Presents the self reports of Israeli junior high school teachers (N=40). Discusses the conditions and processes of teaching and learning science, and reports that teachers make good use of inquiry in teaching. Contains 20 references. (DDR)

Explores student-held images of science and scientists according to gender and grade level; examines the reasons behind those images. Concludes that male students are more strongly influenced by public stereotypes of science and scientists. Contains 20 references. (DDR)

Analyzes the ways some school science textbooks for 14-16 year-olds were used in Great Britain to portray the topic of human sexuality. Examines 15 books that vary greatly in their approach to the topic. Contains 30 references. (DDR)

Focuses on the responses of elementary school children (N=336) to an "Awareness of Technology Survey" question intended to explore how they would begin the technological problem-solving process. Contains 29 references. (DDR)

Describes a study of the attitudes of 13- and 14-year-old student towards science. Involves the analysis of a questionnaire which shows that both boys and girls have positive attitudes toward science. Contains 26 references. (DDR)