Argues that citizens need to recognize that science is a human social activity like any other. Calls for socially responsible science and a public mindful of its strengths and weaknesses. Explores two case studies of public construction of knowledge about controversial health-related issues to illustrate the problematic nature of public…

Argues for the need for theoretical work on mental models in the field of science education. Considers relationships between both models and theories, and mental models and conceptions in order to improve the notions of "model" and "mental model" used in the literature. Contains 20 references. (Author/WRM)

Beginning secondary students find it easier to express their understanding of scientific evidence verbally rather than in writing. Concludes that much work can be done to improve the critical nature of the dialog pupils enter into in their written work, thus making their level of procedural understanding more clear. Contains 27 references.…

Addresses some criticisms of the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE) project. Offers a different description of the CASE teaching method and presents evidence from the program. Contains 20 references. (Author/WRM)

Argues that viewing learning from a biological basis is particularly fruitful for technology-and-science education. Demonstrates the potency of this new view of learning in making sense of the findings of empirical studies of technology-and-science learning, modeling technology-and-science education as a set of five natural and contiguous acts.…

Attempts to find connections and bridges between social constructivism and Piagetian constructivism so that both may be enriched, to the benefit of science teaching. (Contains 95 references.) (Author/WRM)

If science education is to be related as closely as possible to science, then Thought Experiments (TEs) must play an appropriate part. Presents a typology of TEs with examples drawn from the history of physics and addresses their various uses in bringing about students' conceptual development. Finds appropriate use of TEs is lacking in physics…

Grounded theory may be used to bridge case studies and large-scale surveys as it enables the strengths of both to be combined in the same research program. Presents one example of the application of a grounded theory approach to research into science learning, and considers the generalizability of the research results. (Contains 33 references.)…

Argues that knowledge of social aspects of science are important and relevant for science education for citizenship. Presents a teaching model for engaging students in thoughtful decision-making on controversial socio-scientific issues. (Contains 48 references.) (Author/WRM)

Reviews evidence of the effectiveness of a scheme resulting from CASE (cognitive acceleration through science education) research. Focuses on the effectiveness of the scheme in raising standards in science. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Reviews the traditional definition of practical work in science, offers a different definition of it, and points out that practical work is not always laboratory based. Discusses the logistics of coordinating fieldwork. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Argues that the life sciences offer potential for practical work to be undertaken outside the classroom. Explores a rationale for such work and draws on reported studies from a number of countries. Contains 44 references. (DDR)

Investigates how museum visits can be used to meet the goals of practical work. Introduces a framework to facilitate student learning in museums. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Identifies the problems associated with the use of dry laboratories in science education, presents design considerations for the use of such practicals in science education, and presents examples of innovative nontraditional practicals. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

Reviews the advent of science in Africa and discusses the possibilities and implications of combining traditional African thought systems with Western science to develop an effective culture for Africa in the 21st century. Contains 62 references. (DDR)