Conceptualizing Student Affect for Science and Technology at the Middle School Level: Development and Implementation of a Measure of Affect in Science and Technology (MAST)

We describe the development of the Measure of Affect in Science and Technology (MAST), and study its usefulness for measuring science affect in middle school students via both classical and Rasch measurement perspectives. We then proceed to utilize the measurement structure of the MAST to understand how middle school students at varying levels of affect express their interest and attitudes toward science and technology and gender differences in how students express their affect. We found that affect in science and technology comprises a main dimension, science interest, and four peripheral dimensions: interest in careers in science and technology, attitudes toward science, and interest in attending science class. Of these, careers in science and technology carry the highest affective demand. While males showed higher levels of personal and situational interest in science, a greater interest in careers in science and technology was the biggest contributor to males’ higher affect toward science and technology. We argue that whether the MAST is used as a measure of a single construct or multiple subconstructs depends upon specific research or evaluation goals; however, both uses of the MAST yield measures which produce valid inferences for student affect.     

新课程下保山中小学数学教育现状研究

保山市基础教育课程改革已有一段时间的研究和探索,方方面面的反馈情况表明:课程改革实验区正发生着深刻的变化,"校长、教师在学习和领会新课程理念的过程中不断深化了对教育本质的认识,逐步形成了具有新时代特征的教师角色定位.教师的教学表现得更加民主、灵活,学生的学习开始趋向于主动、合作、探索和创新,生动活泼的课堂面貌正在形成,"作为师范院校教师,我们结合保山的实际提出自己的意见和建议.     

试论澳大利亚学校科学、技术、数学创新计划

为了提高全民的整体素质,尤其是在科学、技术和数学方面的创新能力,澳大利亚继推出“加强澳大利亚人的能力”计划之后又提出了一个为时7年的“澳大利亚学校科学、技术、数学创新计划”。本文着力于对整个计划的形成和运行模式的分析,并通过对这一计划的剖析反思科技创新能力的培养问题。     

Math and Science Scholars (MASS) Program: A Model Program for the Recruitment and Retention of Preservice Mathematics and Science Teachers

The shortage of certified teachers in mathematics and science in Texas classrooms is a major concern and mirrors national tends. Dramatic increases in shortages of teachers have stimulated the design of new certification programs that recruit and place teachers in classrooms as quickly as possible (Texas Center for Educational Research, 1999). While maintaining several of the characteristics of traditional certification programs, the Math and Science Scholars (MASS) Program streamlines the certification process, supports preservice students through tuition remission and scholarships, and provides quality mentoring and early fiend experiences in K–12 classrooms with well-qualified teachers. The strategies in this model program are dramatically increasing the numbers of undergraduate majors in mathematics and science considering high school teaching as a career.     

汽车里的物理:中学物理科技活动课程的案例

开展活动课程是实施素质教育的一个有效途径,而中学物理科技活动课程在其中占有重要的地位。设计并实施"汽车里的物理"这样一节课,收到良好的效果。通过整理设计思路与教学反思,以期给物理教育工作者提供一定参考。     

Technology Use in Science Instruction (TUSI): Aligning the Integration of Technology in Science Instruction in Ways Supportive of Science Education Reform

This study describes the development of an instrument to investigate the extent to which technology is integrated in science instruction in ways aligned to science reform outlined in standards documents. The instrument was developed by: (a) creating items consistent with the five dimensions identified in science education literature, (b) establishing content validity with both national and international content experts, (c) refining the item pool based on content expert feedback, (d) piloting testing of the instrument, (e) checking statistical reliability and item analysis, and (f) subsequently refining and finalization of the instrument. The TUSI was administered in a field test across eleven classrooms by three observers, with a total of 33 TUSI ratings completed. The finalized instrument was found to have acceptable inter-rater intraclass correlation reliability estimates. After the final stage of development, the TUSI instrument consisted of 26-items separated into the original five categories, which aligned with the exploratory factor analysis clustering of the items. Additionally, concurrent validity of the TUSI was established with the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol. Finally, a subsequent set of 17 different classrooms were observed during the spring of 2011, and for the 9 classrooms where technology integration was observed, an overall Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.913 was found. Based on the analyses completed, the TUSI appears to be a useful instrument for measuring how technology is integrated into science classrooms and is seen as one mechanism for measuring the intersection of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge in science classrooms.     

Bioinformatics Education in High School: Implications for Promoting Science,Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics Careers

We investigated the effects of our Bio-ITEST teacher professional development model and bioinformatics curricula on cognitive traits (awareness, engagement, self-efficacy, and relevance) in high school teachers and students that are known to accompany a developing interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The program included best practices in adult education and diverse resources to empower teachers to integrate STEM career information into their classrooms. The introductory unit, Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing, uses bioinformatics to teach basic concepts in genetics and molecular biology, and the advanced unit, Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Research, utilizes bioinformatics to study evolution and support student research with DNA barcoding. Pre–post surveys demonstrated significant growth (n = 24) among teachers in their preparation to teach the curricula and infuse career awareness into their classes, and these gains were sustained through the end of the academic year. Introductory unit students (n = 289) showed significant gains in awareness, relevance, and self-efficacy. While these students did not show significant gains in engagement, advanced unit students (n = 41) showed gains in all four cognitive areas. Lessons learned during Bio-ITEST are explored in the context of recommendations for other programs that wish to increase student interest in STEM careers.     

西方科幻影片中的科学技术形象(上)

中国观众在很长时期内,都习惯于在文艺作品中看到对科学技术及科学家"崇高形象"的塑造,这种状态可能在大部分公众中至今仍是如此.但在当代以好莱坞为主的西方科幻影片中,则大异于是--更多见的是对科学技术的质疑,以及对科学技术飞速发展的忧虑.在这个问题上,"反乌托邦"似乎仍然是西方科幻影片中最有活力的思想纲领.     

Women in Science, Engineering and Technology: A Review of The Issues

Concern continues to be expressed over women's difficulties in advancing their careers as academic scientists. Though some sciences may be numerically 'feminised', few women reach the upper echelons of science. Scant attention has been paid to issues of the progression of women from non–traditional backgrounds, such as those from ethnic minorities, who may be particularly disadvantaged. What research there is indicates a variation between the sciences in terms of women's careers and patterns that are replicated globally. Explanations are now focusing on how the scientific culture itself acts as a barrier to women rather than on the notion that women themselves lack the requisite skills. The Athena Project is a policy response to this issue. Future research and policy needs to look more closely at differences between the sciences, how women from diverse backgrounds experience the academic labour market and epistemological connections between employment and engagement with the scientific agenda.     

美国高中课程多样化个案研究——以托马斯·杰弗逊科技高中为例

课程多样化是近年来我国高中课程改革的重要方向,而美国高中在这方面的做法值得我们借鉴.通过对托马斯·杰弗逊科技高中的课程目标、课程结构、核心课程的门类和内容等方面进行深入探讨,研究发现,高中课程多样化的设置对学生的发展具有重要的意义:课程多样化,有助于学生根据个人发展兴趣进行选择;课程特色鲜明,有助于彰显学校的教育理念;开设大量AP课程,有助于大学课程与高中课程的衔接;开设科技实验课程和自主研究课程,有助于科技人才的培养.     

Vaille Dawson,Grady Venville,Jennifer Donovan (eds): The Art of Teaching Science: a Comprehensive Guide to the Teaching of Secondary School Science, 3rd Edition

Research in Science Education -     

Development of the Educational and Career Interest Scale in Science, Technology, and Mathematics for High School Students

The Educational and Career Interest scale, a self-report instrument measuring high school students’ educational and career interest in STEM, was developed and validated in two studies conducted during 2010 and 2011. Study 1 included data from 92 high school students, in which exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted with an initial item pool of 20 items. EFA identified three factors: educational and career interest in science, educational and career interest in technology, and educational and career interest in mathematics. Study 2 utilized data from 658 students to revisit the three-factor model using confirmative factor analysis. The two studies provide strong evidence that the scale is both valid and reliable.     

Undergraduate Experiences of Division I Athlete Science,Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics (STEM) Graduates

Employing the conceptual model developed by Comeaux and Harrison (Coll Stud Aff J 30(1):75–87, 2011), this study explored the undergraduate experience of Division I athlete STEM graduates. Data collection involved 17 in-depth interviews with former athletes at two research-intensive, public institutions. Results revealed that pre-college characteristics, involvement in purposeful STEM-related activities, and sport participation, as well as academic support and guidance within athletic departments, play important roles in shaping the experiences of athletes who earn STEM degrees. Implications for student affairs professionals, faculty, and others who frequently interact with college athletes and are committed to creating more equitable educational environments are discussed.     

植根于社区:美国农村科学教育改革的新路向

美国农村科学教育存在着课程内容与教学方式落后,经费不足,设施老化及教师短缺等问题。对此,美国各州、相关研究机构及学者探索并实施了多种应对方案及改革措施。而植根于社区能够为农村的科学教育提供多方面的支持、提升科学教育质量并促进农村社区发展,因而成为美国农村科学教育改革的新路向。