Nanotechnology has been touted as the next 'industrial revolution' of our modern age. In order for successful research, development, and social discourses to take place in this field, education research is needed inform development standards, course workforce preparation. addition, there a growing need educate citizens students about risks, benefits, ethical issues related nanotechnology. This position paper describes advancements that have made nanoscale science nanotechnology, challenges...

Biology graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) are significant contributors to the educational mission of universities, particularly in introductory courses, yet there is a lack empirical data on how best prepare them for their roles. This essay proposes conceptual framework biology GTA professional development (TPD) program evaluation and research with three overarching variable categories consideration: outcome variables, contextual moderating variables. The framework's variables go beyond...

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are frequently being used as a vehicle to transform science education. This study explored elementary teachers' perceptions about the impact of participating in PLC on their own professional development. With use The Science Survey and semi-structured interview protocol, goals PLCs, constraints benefits participation reported differences novice experienced teachers were examined. Sixty-five who participated surveyed experiences, subsample 16 was...

Scientific literacy as a goal of science education reform remains an important discourse in the research literature and is key component students' understanding acceptance emergent technologies like nanotechnology. This manuscript focuses on undergraduate engineering perceptions risks benefits posed by nanotechnology scientific literacy. Specifically, this study examined perceived risk group American students (N = 102) three material courses focusing Students completed survey perception...

Biology education research (BER) is a growing field, as evidenced by the increasing number of publications in CBE-Life Sciences Education ( LSE) and expanding participation at Society for Advancement Research (SABER) annual meetings. To facilitate an introspective reflective discussion on how within LSE SABER has matured, we conducted content analysis articles n = 339, from 2002 to 2015) abstracts 652, 2011 examine three related intraresearch parameters: questions, study contexts,...

This study examined students' accuracy of measurement estimation for linear distances, different units measure, task context, and the relationship between logical thinking. Middle school students completed a series tasks that included estimating length various objects in contexts test thinking ability. Results found were not able to give accurate estimations lengths familiar objects. Students also less metric as compared English or novel units. Estimation was dependent on context. There...

I describe a design-based learning activity that utilizes the interdisciplinary content domain of biomimicry. Design-based requires student creativity and technological innovation to address novel science problems, characteristics nature not often addressed in schools. Alignment with national standards documents, protocols, assessment recommendations are provided.

The use of kits in elementary science classes is a growing trend some countries. Kits provide materials and inquiry lessons ready-to-teach format for teachers to their instruction. This study examined teachers' instructional strategies, classroom practices, assessment types relation the frequency kit use. A total 503 from an urban school district received professional development, implemented classrooms year, then completed survey about teaching practices. Despite similarities demographic...

Abstract The introduction of nanotechnology education into K-12 has happened so quickly that there been little time to evaluate the approaches and knowledge goals are most effective teach precollege students. This review examines instructional types frame education. Methods used different forms examined in light goal creating meaningful instruction. developmental components needed understand concepts such as surface area volume relationships well counterintuitive behavior nanoscale materials...

Concept inventories (CIs) are valuable tools for educators that assess student achievement and identify misconceptions held by students. Results of responses can be used to adjust or develop new instructional methods a given topic. The regulation gene expression in both prokaryotes eukaryotes is an important concept genetics one particularly challenging undergraduate As part larger study examining related regulation, the authors developed 12-item CI assessing knowledge lac operon. Using...

Graduate students represent both a significant component of the instructional team for biology departments as well being themselves learning to become academics. However, little is known about how graduate perceive relationships among their academic roles, particularly research and teaching. The present study used cross-sectional survey elicit perceptions hold relationship between This work an important first step in understanding socialization processes students. Findings indicated that...

Metric scale is an important concept taught as part of science curricula across different countries. This study explored metric and relative (body-length) concepts inservice (N = 92) preservice 134) teachers from Austria, Taiwan, their were compared with those the USA. Participants completed three assessments: Scale Anchoring Objects (SAO), Questionnaire (SOQ), a subsample participants interviewed Learning Interview. A Rasch analysis was conducted SAO SOQ results showed that model held for...

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) are responsible for the majority of biology undergraduate laboratory sections, although many feel underprepared to do so. This study explored impact GTA participation in a professional development model known as lesson study. Using case methodology with multiple qualitative data sources, this found that was beneficial group GTAs it modified critical aspects their beliefs about instruction. Each participant felt helped revise and changes were seen some...

This study examined students' perceptions of the risks associated with microbial transmission before and after taking a microbiology class. Participants included undergraduate students (n = 132) enrolled in course at two universities one community college. Students completed survey beginning end sub-sample also participated pre- post-course interviews. The results showed that there were changes knowledge microbes as well reported behaviors related to transmission. behavior primarily involved...

Grant Gardnera* & Gail Jonesa a Department of Math, Science, Technology Education , North Carolina State University Carolina, USA

There is a dearth of information about how students with visual impairments learn science-process skills. The study presented here investigated students' concepts and skills in one science area: the estimation measurements. measurements fundamental that connects all disciplines provide necessary to understand natural world (National Research Council, 1996; Roth & Roychoudhury, 1993) an instructional goal at every grade level Mathematics Standards Council Teachers Mathematics, 2000)....