Reviews the history of elementary/lower secondary school science, appraising the impact of various curriculum projects. Summarizes United Nations involvement in providing leadership and support in curriculum development. Concludes with a review of science education research and the interrelationships between local culture and science teaching, and…

Proposes a model of parent and teacher influences on the science attitudes of eighth-grade students using data from the base year survey of the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS: 88). Utilizes structural equation modeling methodology for analysis of categorical data. Contains 61 references. (DDR)

Describes a model-centered, computer-supported semester-long science curriculum (Model-based Analysis and Reasoning in Science) for middle school students designed to encourage conceptual understanding and to foster the development of model-based reasoning skills. (ZWH)

Analyzed the commonly used science textbooks (n=8) to determine their cognitive level of questions. Among the conclusions are that there was a greater proportion of lower-level questions than higher-level questions in these books. (PR)

Proposes a revised learning cycle model termed the Metacognitive Learning Cycle which emphasizes formal opportunities for teachers and students to talk about their science ideas. Analyses two different pedagogical classroom approaches, the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) approach and the metacognitive approach, and observes changes in…