Educational initiatives in multiple disciplinary areas call for student engagement in the practice of argumentation (CCSSI, 2010a, 2010b; Mullis & Martin, 2017; NGSS Lead States, 2013; OECD, 2018). In science education, immersive argument-based inquiry (ABI) is one category of approaches which integrates argumentation in all classroom activity…

Curriculum materials serve as a key conceptual tool for science teachers, and better understanding how science teachers use these tools could help to improve both curriculum design and theory related to teacher learning and decision-making. The authors review the literature on teachers and science curriculum materials. The review is organised…

This article reviews how practical work, including practical skills, is currently summatively assessed in school science in a number of countries and makes comparisons with how other subjects, such as music and modern foreign languages, summatively assess skills. Whilst practical skills in school science are clearly valued as being of importance,…

Context-based chemistry education aims to improve student interest and motivation in chemistry by connecting canonical chemistry concepts with real-world contexts. Implementation of context-based chemistry programmes began 20 years ago in an attempt to make the learning of chemistry meaningful for students. This paper reviews such programmes…

This literature review provides an overview of recent studies on the introduction of nanosciences and nanotechnologies in secondary education. Four salient research topics have emerged: questions and reflections preceding curriculum development on nanosciences and nanotechnologies lessons; research on students' conceptualisations of nano-related…

Reported is an evaluation of chemistry syllabuses in Scotland. The development of the curriculum reform movement is briefly sketched, syllabus content described, student reactions and attitudes noted, student performance surveyed, and experimental studies summarized. The author concludes that curriculum developers should be warned against…

The functions of the Institute for Science Education (IPN) at Kiel, West Germany, are described. The main activities of the IPN focus on development of curricula for science education and investigation of special problems arising in science teaching. (PEB)

Reviews studies of cognitive preference tests, outlines the nature of cognitive preferences, and presents an analysis of cognitive preference data. Presents a six-point summary of this analysis and lists four statements that need supportive evidence before further studies using these tests can have any value. (GS)

Against the background of the current crisis in science education, discusses various aspects of science/technology/society (STS) curriculum and instruction, including the need for new definition of science education, social science education and STS, and STS curriculum materials. Also provides a framework for educating about STS. (JN)

Discusses interests of various social groups in supporting trend to help students relate science to current issues and practical applications, pointing to issues in science/technology/society (STS) curricula that need to be addressed by science teachers and describing some organizational decisions that need to be made in developing STS curriculum…

Drawing on British publications, three general issues related to girls and science education are discussed: demands of state and industry, equality of opportunity, and the nature of science and the scientific enterprise. (JN)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 62 British entries on girls and science/mathematics. Arranged alphabetically by author/institution, annotations are detailed to avoid having to locate each reference itself. Topics include, among others, sex differences, sex bias in textbooks, and achievement. (JN)

Reviews research on demonstration versus small group instruction in four phases (up to 1926, 1926-1946, 1946-1960, and 1960-present), reflecting progressive stages with respect to the development of the investigational techniques used in the studies. (Author/JN)

Describes research on early experiences (reality shock) of young teachers at the beginning of their careers, indicating roots of these experiences. Also describes teacher training courses (focusing on pre-service training for physics teachers and in-service training for new teachers) designed to help teachers cope with reality shock and its…

Lists additional 1979-1980 theses/dissertations, complementing a list printed in Volume 9 (pp. 106-117) of this journal. Subjects include teaching/learning of biology, environmental science, geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and girls and science. (JN)