Even though the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS) were released over a decade ago, science is still infrequently taught in early childhood and elementary classrooms. A lack of teacher confidence due to inadequate content knowledge may be a contributing factor, making access to high-quality elementary science methods courses even…

Research has revealed that a small percentage of weekly instructional time in the elementary grades is dedicated to teaching science. Additionally, elementary educators receive limited preparation to teach science concepts compared to math or literacy skills. Therefore, this study examined if utilizing poetry to teach science concepts had a…

This study explored the potency of CTCA in reducing math anxiety and promoting meaningful learning of mathematics among secondary school students. The study adopted a mixed-method (explanatory sequential) design involving a quasi-experimental design and individual in-depth interviews. Participants were drawn from two schools, purposively selected…

To develop an equity-centered orientation in teacher education programs, it is essential teacher educators recognize what prospective teachers attend to in classroom events and how they relate these events to mathematics instruction. In this study, we conceptualize the Equity Noticing Framework and use it as an analytic tool to examine what…

We investigated what high school mathematics teachers and their students noticed about students' mathematical engagement to develop a framework for teachers' and students' noticing of mathematical engagement. This framework offers clarity about the complexity of engagement, and it includes three elements: evaluations of the valence of engagement…

Guided and open inquiry strategies are found to improve students' attitudes toward science. Yet, confirmation and structured inquiry are more often enacted by teachers. The effectiveness of these approaches involving high teacher guidance remains unexplored. Students in six classes (N = 119, M[subscript age] = 11.25 years) were assigned to control…

Inquiry-based lab experiences have been shown to be more effective than traditional lab experiences. Students' perceptions of the types of thinking required in science lab settings have implications for interest and persistence. This study compares students' perceptions about the thinking required in traditional and inquiry laboratory settings.…

This study describes the design and implementation of a science outreach program (elementary; 2nd-5th) and its associated student outcomes. Key features of the program include: (a) phenomenon-based, NGSS-aligned curriculum designed by science education experts and influenced by educational, sociocultural, and cognitive science theories, (b) active…

The academic self-concept (ASC) is a domain-specific construct, which plays an influential role in academic motivation and choices. Although some ASC models and instruments have been developed for mathematics and science, none have been specifically designed to measure the physics ASC. Therefore, this study focuses on designing and validating a…

The question of whether single-sex or co-ed schooling has any impact on students' attitudes toward science is highly contested and warrants research from all corners of the world. This study adds to our current knowledge by investigating different attitudinal indices of Grade 9 science students (N = 356, M[subscript age] = 14.5 years) in…

Science preservice teachers (PSTs), as successes of the school system, often mimic what they experienced as a student when they start teaching, which can be problematic if they never experienced science taught in contextualized ways. Since not all school students report that they find school science relevant, it is important to provide…

Over the past two decades, educators and policymakers have expressed growing concerns over the low levels of math and science achievement among American students and the gradual decline in the numbers of young people moving into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. While interest in expanding the numbers of young people…

The goal of the study was to analyze the influence of perceived teacher/peer supports and barriers on career development in female engineering undergraduates based on Social Cognitive Career Theory. Thirteen students studying various engineering degrees participated. The results of a qualitative methodology, life stories, and focus groups, showed…

Although STEM is at the forefront of many educational initiatives, little is known about various professionals' perceptions of STEM. This mixed-methods study surveyed 164 preservice teachers, inservice teachers, administrators, informal educators, and STEM professionals. Quantitative and qualitative questions on the survey elicited participants'…

This single case study design examines the impact of collaborative inquiry- and design-based learning on elementary students enrolled in the STEM summer camp program. Sixty-five students participated in a two-week summer camp that offered a curriculum centered on (a) coding; (b) STEM arts; (c) 3D printing; and (d) digital storytelling. Data is…