Serious games have become increasingly available to educators. Empirical studies and meta-analyses have examined their impact on learning achievement. However, natural sciences could have a special relation to serious games by their systematic use of quantitative and predictive models that can generate microworlds and simulations. Since no known…

Presented are several articles and reviews which are related to science education in the following areas: (1) achievement, mastery, proficiency, competence; (2) personality and the pursuit of science; (3) skill integration, Piaget, and education; (4) recent research grants in the United Kingdom; (5) a listing of theses and dissertations for higher…

Reviews the purposes, underlying assumptions, and curriculum development model for the United Kingdom's "Children's Learning in Science Project." Explains the general features and phases of the constructivist approach to learning that the program advocates. Identifies theoretical developments on children's ideas, the constructivist view…

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)

Begins with a review of Canadian science education and the status of science standards development across Canada. Focuses on Ontario and a curriculum restructuring project taking place there. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Provides a general description of the National Science Curriculum in Korea including its involvement in science textbook development. Discusses evaluation procedures for science programs and textbooks. Also contains information on curriculum policy and assumptions about learning. (DDR)

Discusses curriculum development in New Zealand from educational, social, political, and historical perspectives. Describes and critiques the development process. Contains 70 references. (DDR)

Presents the state of science education in Scotland beginning with a historical perspective, information about education, and a brief account of developments since the 1960s. Contains 33 references. (DDR)

Traces the evolution of science teachers' understandings of the complex process of judging standards of student achievement in Queensland high schools. Contrasts the Queensland system with other systems in Australia. Contains 37 references. (DDR)

Traces the evolution of national curriculum policy in Great Britain focusing on England and Wales. Provides three versions of the national curriculum for science and a framework for assessment and testing. Contains 83 references. (DDR)

Identifies what "urban science education studies" means and reviews 46 articles representing the nature of urban science education based on the questions asked, research frameworks, guiding assumptions, and findings. Discusses educational equity and challenges regarding policy and enactments, goals of school science, and what to teach in…

Explores the research on argumentation in science education by focusing on two questions: (1) what should constitute argumentation?; and (2) what does research say about classroom conditions that promote, nurture, and sustain argumentation practices among students? Discusses possible barriers to argumentation and foundational frameworks and…

Reviews evidence on the effectiveness of "sequence of teaching activities" on student learning and the design and evaluation of science teaching sequences. Discusses the social constructivist perspective on learning and offers a generalized approach to planning a science teaching sequence. Provides an example of how to plan an…

Reviews literature related to gender, science discourse, and the discourse designed to enhance girls' post-school options through nontraditional choices. Contains 116 references. (DDR)

Reviews and evaluates the contribution of historical studies in science education with particular reference to the case of England and Wales, where there are a series of challenges that threaten to undermine the enterprise as a whole. Contains 67 references. (DDR)