Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Contrast Dependent Knowledge Development In Contrast Supported Scientific Observation, Maura B. Foley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge of contrasts between phenomena can influence how people think and reason about them, so learning contrasts is important in school science. Building knowledge through a process of construction is a common framework through which school science is taught. However, telling phenomena apart through differentiation also plays an important role in learning and may be underused as a teaching framework. An effective way to learn contrasts is to use them to perceptually differentiate similar-looking phenomena presented side-by-side. However, little is known about the persistence/usefulness of knowledge generated during perceptual differentiation over short periods of time and its usage in student …

The Periodic Table Of The Elements, Michael A. Bailey

All Graduate Projects

The blueprint to the world of chemistry is encoded in the periodic table of the elements. This fundamental chart can be found in virtually all science classrooms in the world. The purpose of this project was to design a professional development course focusing on the periodic table of the elements. The target audience is college students working towards teaching science as a career, current teachers looking to enhance their understanding of the table, and resident teachers working towards continuing certification. In order to accomplish this purpose extensive literary research, the Washington State Academic Learning Requirements for science, published science lessons, …

Proposal For An Elemenatry Science Curriculum Outline To Help K-4 Teachers Prepare Students To Take The 5th Grade Science Wasl, Cindy D. Williams

All Graduate Projects

With a statewide pilot of the 5th grade science Washington Assessment of Student Leaming (WASL) in the spring of 2003, all elementary schools were tiying to prepare their students to meet the standards. At this time, the only resources schools had for preparation was a glimpse of the first criterion-referenced assessment, the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs), Grade level Expectations (GLEs) and a "release booklet" of sample items distributed to 5th grade science teachers. Educators knew that the best curriculum built on the previous year's knowledge which spiraled throughout the curriculum. At this time there were no curriculums designed starting …

A Brain-Based Pedagogy To Improve Student Achievement Of Middle School Aged Children, Marci Lynn Stadiem

All Graduate Projects

This project examined the role of a brain-based pedagogy to improve student achievement in middle school students. The review of current research found that orchestrated immersion, relaxed alertness and active processing were integral for an effective brain-based pedagogy that increased student achievement. Included is a curriculum that focused on a brain-based pedagogy. Written for teachers of middle school students. Lessons included support a brain-based pedagogy, were age appropriate, and encouraged teachers to use a curriculum based on a brain-based pedagogy that increased student achievement.

Alignment Of The Challenger Center Curriculum With The Washington State Essential Learning Requirements And The Use Of Multiple Intelligences, Shaila Donel Brookover

All Graduate Projects

The State ofWashington has recently adopted a set oflearning standards called the Essential Academic Learning Requirements. It is the intention of this Master's project to align the learning objectives of the Challenger Center curriculum with the Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Science, so that it may be used as a sixth and seventh grade enrichment opportunity. Itis also within the scope of this project to include Gardner's theory on multiple intelligence as an educational tool to improve student learning. It will be suggested that with the use of multiple intelligences and the integration of informal science learning experiences, students will …

An Outcome-Based Curriculum Design For Seventh Grade Earth Science, Jeffrey Scott Fields

All Graduate Projects

This project presents a curriculum design to be used for the seventh grade Earth Science course taught at Centerville School. The curriculum was created by modifying the district's student learning objectives into outcome-based objectives, lessons and units. This project was designed with the intent of enhancing the teaching of earth science and aiding other teachers in the district by giving them a possible model for their own curricula comparison and adoptions. The curriculum design was successful in meeting these intentions.

A Comparative Investigation Of Understanding Of Ecological Content Between Eighth And Tenth Grade Pupils, David Lee Herbenson

All Master's Theses

The study had two major purposes. One purpose was to determine if Covington Junior High School eighth grade pupils understood the basic ecological ideas and facts presented to them in a teacher-designed one semester course entitled Environmental Concepts Orientation (ECO). The second purpose was to find out the degree of competence attained by the eighth grade pupils as compared to tenth grade pupils taking a one year ecologically oriented course in the nationally developed Green Version BSCS biology series at Camas, Washington.

A Study Of Science Concepts For Upper Elementary Grades, Floyd Edwin Bond

Graduate Student Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to itemize the topics and concepts prepared for the Highline School District by selected teachers, and to identify those aspects which were to be found in each of five textbook series.

The five areas of study were: (1) The Earth, (2) Living Things, (3) The Universe, (4) Matter and Energy, and (5) Health.

The textbook series used were: (1) The John C. Winston Company, (2) The L. W. Singer Company, (3) The D. C. Heath Company, (4) The Macmillan Company, and (5) The Scott Foresman Company.

An Overview Of Mechanism And Function Of Respiration In The Human Organism, James Morley Freese

Graduate Student Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to take a seemingly simple concept of zoology, reveal in some measure its complexity, and show how this concept is often inadequately expressed and taught.

Is There A Way To Teach Terminology In The Biological Science?, Kenneth Eugene Bongers

Graduate Student Research Papers

The present :national emphasis on the teaching of Biological Science in High School has brought about many inquiries relative to teaching terminology in a meaningful way. Every biology teacher is faced with the problem of how to communicate the meaning of terms every biology book assumes the students already know.

A Study Of Design And Structural Considerations In Planning Secondary School Science Classrooms, Ellis Eugene Wells

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this paper to present a survey of present day thinking on the design and construction of secondary school classrooms and to point out many features that have won general acceptance as being educationally desirable and financially feasible.