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Taking “Stock” Of Pedagogical Content Knowledge In Science Education, Harcharan Pardhan, Alan Wheeler

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

This article focuses on efforts of facilitate the development of MEd science students' conceptual understanding of content, pedagogy and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). A basic premise of the approach taken was that to teach conceptually, students must learn conceptually. A four-step conceptual process was followed with the participants to help them actively construct knowledge about fundamental science concepts and enhance their confidence and enthusiasm for science teaching. Equivalent forms of an assessment instrument entitled the Science Test of Content Knowledge (STOCK), used as per- and post-performance measures, revealed a significant difference. The article describes the structured activities built into the …

Obituary: Elmer Clea Birney, 1940-2000, Hugh H. Genoways, Carleton J. Phillips, Jerry R. Choate, Robert S. Sikes, Kristin M. Kramer

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

On 11 June 2000, Dr. Elmer C. Birney unexpectedly passed away from cardiac arrest suffered while outside caring for his cattle at his home in Blaine, Minnesota. One of his former students, Robert Timm, probably best expressed the immediate reaction of his family and many friends: ‘‘He was too young and in too good of health to be gone so soon.’’ At the time of his death, Elmer was Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, the Curator of Mammals at the Bell Museum of Natural History, and Director of Graduate Studies of the program in Ecology, Evolution …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 5, November 2000

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Recruitment And Retention Of African American Females In High School Mathematics: Have We Achieved Results?, Sheryl Mcglamery, Carol Mitchell

Teacher Education Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

"Our goal is to present the findings of the study and challenge the audience to consider the aspects of the program the researchers believe made the difference in recruitment and retention for these African American female students."

Language Implications For Numeracy: A Study Of Language Use Of Disadvantaged Students, Robyn Zevenbergen

2000 - Improving Numeracy Learning

Increasingly language is recognised as causing difficulties for students when they come to learn mathematics. Many different levels and aspects of language can be seen to create such difficulties for students. This paper looks at the implications of language on learning mathematics or developing a sense of numeracy.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 4, October 2000

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Fall 2000 ENTO 905 seminars

A New Course Promoting Science As A Way Of Knowing, Howard B. Dowse

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

The objective of this project is to create an exciting interdisciplinary laboratory experience for a course promoting science as an objective tool for understanding the natural world. Establishing in the minds of the students a level playing field on which true science competes successfully with pseudoscience is central. The core of the project is biology, but many disciplines are introduced, providing a focused introduction to the scientific method. The primary goal is not scientific literacy per se. It is, instead, an introduction to the methodology of science. A select set of connected subjects were chosen for general interest, potential for …

Imsa Kaleidoscope, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Lectures, Speeches, and Talks

I collect kaleidoscopes. At first, I found their artistry magical; however, as I surrendered to the unique song of each kaleidoscope, I became aware that my surrendering was transformative.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 3, August 2000

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The Challenge: The Newsletter Of The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 5, Summer 2000), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network – Summer 2000

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network

Content:

“Everything is Connected to Everything Else.” by Dave Gosselin, NESEN Director

Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium 2000: Don't Miss the Opportunity; Students and Teachers Welcome! by Ken Dewey

Integrating Earth System Science Research and Education by Richard Levy

America's Farm by Charles Flowerday

Lessons From Environmental Change Workshop On-line by Mark Mesarch

New Publications and Teacher Resources Available by Judy Otteman

Sym Bowl Update: Encouraging And Recognizing Student Proficiency In System Dynamics Modeling, Wayne W. Wakeland

Systems Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The judging criteria and modeling process guidelines for the SyM Bowl modeling competition are briefly reviewed. Prize-winning student models from previous SyM Bowls are then discussed in order to show how the students and their teachers appear to have interpreted the criteria and process guidelines. The strengths and limitations of the selected student models, especially the basic model structure & logic, and the process they used to build the model, as evidenced in the reports they submitted, are then presented.

The paper then considers how the criteria and process guidelines may or may not have influenced the students, followed by …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 2, June 2000

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Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network – Spring 2000

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network

Content:

“Everything is Connected to Everything Else.” by Dave Gosselin, NESEN Director

NESEN Member Recognized as the Scottish Rite Distinguished Teacher

The Nebraska Weather and Climate Web Site by Dr. Ken Dewey, School of Natural Resource Sciences High Plains Climate Center

Does Our Web Work For YOU?!?!?!

Comment On "Dynamically Maintained Steady-State Pressure Gradients", Todd L. Duncan

Center for Science Education Publications and Presentations

Sheehan [Phys. Rev. E 57, 6660 (1998)] recently discussed the possibility of establishing a dynamically maintained, steady-state pressure gradient in a gas filling a cavity. In this Comment it is pointed out that the pressure gradients in such a system, if attainable in the laboratory, could be used to violate the second law of thermodynamics.

Unique Laboratory Experiences For The Commuter University, D. Don Davis, Ben Golden, Pam Rhyne, Gail Schiffer

Faculty and Research Publications

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Changes In Students' Science Attitudes, Awareness And Achievement Across Three Years As A Function Of The Level Of Implementation Of Interactive-Constructivist Teaching Strategies Promoted In A Local Systemic Reform Effort., James Shymansky, Larry Yore, John Anderson

Educator Preparation & Leadership Faculty Works

This study explored the cumulative effect of three years of exposure to teaching strategies being promoted in a local school district's systemic reform on elementary students' attitudes towards school science, awareness of science careers, and science achievement. The reform effort, referred to as the "Science: Parents, Activities, and Literature" (Science PALs) program focused on incorporating children's literature and parent partners using an interactive-constructivist epistemology as its base. Individual teachers were rated by the school district's science coordinator on their use of specific Science PALs strategies. Student attitudes and awareness were assessed with a paper and pencil survey developed for this …

The Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative: Improving Science And Mathematics Student Achievement In Economically Disadvantaged Rural Counties In Central Appalachia Through A School-Based, Teacher Partner Approach, Stephen A. Henderson, Wimberly C. Royster

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This article was written in response to "Top-Down, Routinized Reform in Low-income, Rural Schools: NSF's Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative, by Robert Bickel, Terry Tomaskek, and Teresa Hardman Eagle which was published in the Education Policy Analysis Archives as Number 12 of Volume 8 on February 21, 2000.

How Do We Know There Is A Population-Environment Problem?, Peter J. Taylor

Working Papers on Science in a Changing World

Five fictional friends of the author have agreed to meet and talk, hoping that he was right when he claimed that discussion crossing the usual boundaries of their fields would enrich their different inquiries and concerns. Ecolo, a natural and human ecologist, breaks the ice. He wants to marshall scientific knowledge to persuade others of the seriousness of the population problem. He is questioned by Philoso, whose philosophical bent leads her to observe the models that people use and to ask how they support the claims they make. In turn, the other three join in: Activo, an activist who is …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 1, March 2000

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Entomology 905 seminar

Farewell to Ackland Jones from David Keith

Top-Down, Routinized Reform In Low-Income, Rural Schools: Nsf's Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative, Robert Bickel, Terry Tomasek, Teresa Hardman Eagle

Leadership Studies Faculty Research

Since 1991, the National Science Foundation has funded fifty-nine state, urban, and rural systemic initiatives. The purpose of the initiatives is to promote achievement in math, science, and technology among all students, and to encourage schools and communities to secure the resources needed to maintain such outcomes. The Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI) is a six-state consortium which focuses these efforts on low-income, rural schools. The primary means of accomplishing ARSI's aims is a one-day-one-school site visit, called a Program Improvement Review, done by an ARSI math or science expert. The centrally important Program Improvement Reviews, however, seem to be …

Snapshots Of Success: Examples Of Imsa Women Graduates, Marti Guarin

Examples of Student Diversity

Searching for a cure for cancer in the heart of a cell, analyzing the ecology of Illinois tall grass prairies, engineering Illinois products to precise specifications, or volunteering to help others, IMSA graduates contribute in myriad ways.

The vignettes offer an in-depth look at several graduates, and the snapshots provide some more glimpses. Women tell how the IMSA experience enabled them to develop confidence to meet academic and personal challenges, succeed in a rigorous academic environment, and grow with the many opportunities IMSA made available.

Thank you to Cathy Veal of the President's Office for the concept and ideas. Thank …

How Big Is Our Sun?, Mark Moldwin

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Putting large numbers into human perspective by using ratios of a known quantity to an unknown quantity is an important scientific skill. An astronomy activity that encourages the use of estimation and helps students get a handle on large numbers is the making of a scale model of Earth and Sun that is relative in both size and distance.

1999-00 Annual Report, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Annual Reports

We are pleased to share with vou the 1999-00 annual report of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. IMSA's 14th year was characterized by the continued evolution of our dynamic Business Plan, and the advancement ol our Strategic Initiatives.

Assessing The Impact Of Sustained Professional Development On Middle School Mathematics Teachers, Joanne E. Goodell, Lesley H. Parker, Jane Butler Kahle

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

The study reported in this paper examines the impact of the Ohio Statewide Systemic Initiative (SSI) on participating mathematics teachers. Quantitative data from 90 SSI-trained teachers and 400 teachers without training, along with qualitative data collected from seven SSI teachers who were visited in their classrooms are presented. Analysis of the quantitative data showed that SSI and Non-SSI teachers reported significantly different frequencies of reformed teaching practices and held significantly different views about the nature and pedagogy of mathematics. Qualitative data from the interviews highlighted that the SSI professional development experience, the ability to find creative ways to overcome lack …

The Challenge: The Newsletter Of The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 6, Winter 2000), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

The Universe On A Desktop: Observational Astronomy Simulations In The Instructional Laboratory, Laurence A. Marschall

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Though the value of hands-on learning has long been recognised by educators, it is difficult to design laboratories in astronomy classes that present realistic astrophysical techniques to undergraduate students. Unlike most other sciences, astronomy is largely observational, not experimental, and making useful observations involves expensive equipment over time scales inconvenient for pedagogy. In recent years, however, astronomy has gone almost completely digital, and the advent of large on-line databases and fast personal computers has made it possible to realistically simulate the experience of research astrophysics in the laboratory. Since 1992, Project CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) has been developing …

The Rhetoric Of Science Education Reform, William W. Cobern

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

Leon Lederman’s Project ARISE promotes a “physics first” reorganization of the secondary science curriculum. As a Nobel laureate in physics, his ideas have attracted considerable attention. Issues outside of physics, however, that Lederman does not appear ready to acknowledge will limit the impact Lederman hopes to achieve.

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To The Science Area : Flight And Space, Thomas F. Ryan

Graduate Research Papers

This instructional project is an integration of the language arts and science areas. A fertile learning environment was established with a literature base that included different genres and related expressive activities. This extensive literature base provided an in-depth study of flight and space, a unit that is part of the third-fourth grade science curriculum.

The goal of this project was to present quality literature, representative of many genres, to integrate study across the curriculum. As the learners progressed through the activities that were student-initiated as well as teacher-directed, they displayed an increased appreciation of literature as well as a working …

Not All Are Created Equal: An Analysis Of The Environmentally-Related Programs/Departments In U.S. Academic Institutions Until December 1999, Aldemaro Romero Jr., Molly Brandt, Phoebe B.S. Vanselow, Joel E. Cresswell, Creswell

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.