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Journal Article

An Interactive Lecture Notebook—Twelve Ways to Improve Students’ Grades: Drawing Students’ Attention to What They need to Know in Lecture

Much research supports the conclusion that most students do not take accurate and thorough notes. The interactive lecture notebook is prepared on a computer so changes and corrections can be made easily, and students can purchase the booklet at the ...

Journal Article

A Cooperative Learning Approach to Teaching Introductory Biology: Experimenting with an Innovative Teaching Style at the University of California, Davis

Why are students unable to make the transition from understanding concepts to applying them? It seems that the standard lecture format does not provide students with an opportunity to test comprehension of a subject. This failure argues strongly for ...

Journal Article

Improving Precollege Science Education—The Involvement of Scientists and Engineers: Enlisting the Support of Scientists and Engineers to Translate Science Education Standards into Effective Science Programs

This article focuses on the importance of science education and of the need to support the implementation of the Standards by improving science education in local school districts, colleges, and universities. Scientists and engineers have indispensab...

Journal Article

Using <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i> Television Episodes to Teach Science—Investigating Scientific Topics through the Medium of Television

For over a decade, we have used science fiction films to build interest in and awareness of real science at both the college and precollege levels. Star Trek: The Next Generation series discusses many scientific topics, making it an effective tool in...

Journal Article

Applied Coastal Oceanography—A Course that Integrates Science and Business: Teaching the Role of Science in the World of Business—Rhode Island's Bryant College Curriculum initiative

A challenging aspect of teaching science at a business specialty school is helping students to understand the role that science plays in everyday lives and will play in professional lives. To address this lack of connection and to incorporate more sc...

Journal Article

SCST: Resource Management, Coexistence, and Balance—The Fundamentals of Teaching Waste Management: A Primer on Recommended Teaching Perspectives Currently Lacking in Environmental Studies Education

In this column the leadership of the Society for College Science Teaching (SCST) shares its views with JCST readers. This month’s issue features information on the fundamentals of teaching waste management, which is currently lacking in the environ...

Journal Article

Introducing Freshmen to Investigative Research—A Course for Biology Majors at Minnesota's University of St. Thomas: How "Investigative Labs" Change the Student from Passive Direction-Follower to Analytically Critical Thinker

Emphasis in "investigative labs" is on the process of science—design, development, analysis, and conclusions based on evidence gathered. These labs bring a whole suite of benefits to courses that were once dominated by cookbook instructions. Studen...

Journal Article

Society for College Science Teachers: Stepping Back from the Picture to See More than the Dots—Making Critical Thinking an Examination Requirement

In this column the leadership of SCST shares its views with JCST readers. This month’s issue focues on teaching critical thinking—not just memorized statements. As soon as students see your test questions and realize that more than memory is requ...

Journal Article

The Senior Biology Seminar—A Capstone Course: Experiencing the Culminating Biology Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy

This "Biology Senior Seminar" is a prerequisite for all biology majors. The course integrates curriculum studies with critical analysis of current biology research and communication skills to provide a capstone experience. ...

Journal Article

Artistic Expressions in Science and Mathematics

At Chicago's Columbia College, students taking science or math classes have undertaken a new type of assignment that incorporates the application of artistic skills in the curriculum. In this activity, students complete a project that brings art toge...

Journal Article

The Case Study: Sorting Potatoes for Miss Bonner: Bringing Order to Case-Study Methodology through a Classification Scheme

This column provides original articles on innovations in case study teaching, assessment of the method, as well as case studies with teaching notes. In this month’s issue, the author, while approaching the problem of categorizing types of case stu...

Journal Article

Research and Teaching: Learning Approaches, Course Experience, and Astronomy Understanding in The Oklahoma Project—Dispelling Popular Misconceptions about Astronomy in an Oklahoma Teacher's Workshop

The results of a survey revealed that astronomy workshops are necessary because of the lack of astronomy education in schools. In this article, The Oklahoma Project (TOP) Astronomy held a workshop with earth and physical science teachers of various g...

Journal Article

Teaching Science to the Nonscience Major—An Interdisciplinary Approach: Presenting Science as an Integrated Process Using a Modular Course Format

This article discusses the structure, content, and implementation of a new course designed to teach the crucial essentials of the scientific enterprise to the nonscience major. The focus is the attempt to teach the process of science, the "doing" of ...

Journal Article

Integrating a Study Skills Workshop and Pre-Examination to Improve Students' Chemistry Performance: identifying and Responding to At-Risk Students through a Study Skills Remediation Program

Students can have positive experiences in college chemistry despite underdeveloped study habits by taking advantage of the resources available to help them study and prepare for courses. This article describes how Wayne State University motivated at-...

Journal Article

Editorial: Cures, Risks, and Human Rights in America

The Journal of College Science Teaching’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....

Journal Article

Point of View: Finding a Place for the Computer in the Introductory Biology Laboratory—Choosing Between Computer Simulations and Real-Life Experiences for Science Students

This column shares reflections or thoughtful opinions on issues of broad interest to the community. This month’s issue shares thoughts about the place of the computer in biology education....

Journal Article

“Scientific Writing”—A Course to Improve the Writing of Science Students: Stressing the English Language Component of Scientific Writing

At the entry level, clear and effective writing is essential to the teaching, learning, dissemination, and progress of science. Improvement in writing occurs largely through individual effort, practice, and feedback. The goal of this course is to hel...

Journal Article

Developing Science Courses for Prospective Elementary Teachers: An Experimental Program at the University of Wyoming Succeeds in Preparing Better Science Teachers

This experimental program at the University of Wyoming was designed to produce teachers who have a solid foundation in science content and a realistic view of science and technology. They should be competent in designing and implementing science in...