Perspectives of Hands-On
Science Teaching

David L. Haury and Peter Rillero, 1994



Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Questions and Answers

1. What is hands-on learning, and is it just a fad?
   
2. What are the benefits of hands-on learning? How do I justify a hands-on approach?
   
3. How does a hands-on science approach fit into a textbook- centered science program?
   
4. How can practicing teachers gain experience with hands-on methods?
   
5. Where do I find resources to develop hands-on activities?
   
6. How is hands-on learning evaluated?
   
7. What are some strategies for helping students work in groups?
   
8. How does or should the use of hands-on materials vary with age?
   
9. Hands-on science can be expensive. How do I get materials and equipment?
   
10. Where do you keep materials and equipment once you get them?
    

Final Comments

References

Appendix A: Acronyms of Interest to Science Educators

Appendix B: Selected Materials That Support an Activity-Based

Approach to Science Teaching

Appendix C: Assessing Student Performance in Science (ERIC/CSMEE Digest)

A Pocket Guide to ERIC

David L. Haury is the director of the ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education (ERIC/CSMEE), former Editor of the Journal of Science Teacher Education (JSTE), Associate Director of the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education, and an Associate Professor of Science Education at The Ohio State University. He has taught inquiry-oriented science at middle school, high school, and college levels; and he has promoted activity-based teaching among elementary teachers for several years.

Peter Rillero is the Science Education Analyst at ERIC/CSMEE. As a Peace Corps volunteer (1983-86) in Kenya he taught biology and physics in grades 7 through 11. He then taught high school science for four years in Bronx, New York. For his dissertation, Peter has evaluated a program he created for sixth graders entitled Student Parent Laboratories - Achieving Science at Home (SPLASH).

Posted to the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory's
Pathways to School Improvement Internet server on June 30, 1995.

Contact: info@ncrel.org