The Alliance+ project is a teacher professional development program that integrates technology into mathematics and science lessons. The effectiveness of this innovative program was evaluated in terms of students‟ perceptions of the classroom learning environment and their attitudes towards science/mathematics. The sample consisted of 759 students of seven mathematics/science teachers (four Alliance+ participants and three non-participants) in one middle school in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The students responded to learning environment scales based on the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) and the What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaires to assess their perceptions of the classroom learning environment. Additionally, they responded to an attitude scale modeled on the Test Of Science-Related Attitudes (TOSRA) to assess their attitudes towards mathematics/science. It was found that Alliance+ teachers were more successful than the non-Alliance+ teachers in promoting a classroom environment with more cooperation among students during the science/mathematics lessons. Additionally, Alliance+ professional development model was differentially effective for mathematics and science teachers in terms of three learning environment scales (namely, Teacher Support, Cooperation, and Critical Voice), but not in terms of students‟ attitudes to science. In terms of Cooperation, Alliance+ teachers were more effective than non-Alliance+ teachers for mathematics, but comparable in effectiveness to non-Alliance+ teachers for science. For Critical Voice, Alliance+ teachers were slightly more effective than non-Alliance+ teachers for mathematics, but considerably less effective than non-Alliance+ teachers for science. / In terms of Teacher Support, Alliance+ were less effective than non-Alliance+ teachers for science, but comparable in effectiveness to non-Alliance+ teachers for mathematics. However, teachers who did not participate in the Alliance+ project were more effective than the teachers who participated in the Alliance+ project in providing a positive learning environment in which the students perceived more teacher support and in promoting positive attitudes towards science/mathematics. Qualitative data results revealed that the Alliance+ teachers had not received sufficient support from their school administrators and Alliance+ trainers and lacked the resources that were necessary for them to implement the project successfully, which could possibly be an explanation for the quantitative results in favor of the non-Alliance+ teachers. This study also investigated outcome-environment associations. It was found that associations existed between students‟ attitudes towards science/mathematics and their perceptions of the classroom leaning environment (especially personal relevance, teacher support, and cooperation).

The objective of the empirical study was to explore which teaching methods science teachers in elementary schools describe that they use and the effects these methods have on student motivation towards the subject, according to these teachers. The study is based on the socio constructivism perspective while also correlating pragmatism and cognitive constructivism in relation to teaching methods in science lessons. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted with experienced and skilled elementary science teachers from around the district of Jönköping. Through the interviews the teachers gave accounts and descriptions of teaching choices they make for their lessons. They also accounted for the tangible effects these methods had on students’ motivation in the subject. As per the results of this study, it is perceived that the interviewed teachers base their teaching on the previously described learning theories. As they are a vital part of our education and learning in Sweden it is fair to point out that the integrating of these teaching and learning theories fit different scenarios of learning differently. Therefore, they absolutely need not necessarily be considered as contradicting each other as much as complementing the other as evidently shown in the study. Because learning theories have differing focus in learning, teachers would be well placed in their pedagogical aspirations by using different learning perspectives to be able to cater for different aspects of learning. Furthermore, different curriculum needs may require different theoretical learning focus. The teachers’ descriptions about their teaching methods suggest that they seek theoretical support and inspiration from various learning theories, more so, in this study, from sociocultural perspective and through pragmatism. This study has also revealed that the teachers make use of an accumulated repertoire of subject know-how and are actively using it in various ways to impact student learning and motivation. As teachers, the right attitude would be to understand which methods fit the class dynamic as this will affect student engagement and subsequently, performance and motivation. It is clear therefore, that the need to adapt teaching to cater for students’ individual needs should be deemed a good reason to help unlock students’ potential in their quest for knowledge acquisition

This diploma thesis aims to find out satisfaction of lower secondary school pupils with science lessons, science classroom equipment, environment and topics in science that are missed by the pupils. Their requests regarding improvement and variegation of science education are also determined, which could contribute to increasing their motivation and interest in science. This diploma thesis maps, which topics of science or tools are mostly lacked by pupils. Their opinions are determined using questionnaires, which were filled by 221 pupils of Elementary school in Uhlířské Janovice in Central Bohemian Region. The results show that pupils would like to include more field work, science outings, excursions, group work, laboratory work, science documentaries, work with a microscope and they would also like to include some real animals. Some of the respondents wouldn't change anything regarding the science lessons. With respect to the results of the research, a daylong project with environmental studies, field work, collection of natural products and their processing was suggested for the particular elementary school.

This diploma thesis deals with the integration of natural science lessons. It also deals with opinions and attitudes of 6th grade students and their parents/representatives about this type of education. First part describes history and present situation of integrated education, educational curriculums on national and school basis, subject didactics of science subjects and its didactic transformation in Czech Republic and abroad. Part of the diploma thesis forms a description of realization of integrated education on lower secondary school. There is also shown an example of educational topic with possible curriculum connection in one school grade. Second part is formed by a research which shows approach of students and their parents/representatives to integrated education. Interview method with further analysis was used for collecting results. In conclusion, results have shown that responders have very positive approach and opinions about integrated education. KEYWORDS Integrated Science, Integrated Curriculum, Natural Science lessons, earth atmosphere, structured interview