General introduction Part 1: The Science Curriculum: where from, where to? 1. The laboratory comes of age 2. Why the science curriculum changes Part 2: A picture of reality 3. Children's beliefs and classroom learning 4. Teaching about electric circuits: a constructivist approach 5. Pause for thought Part 3: The art of teaching in the science curriculum (and some practical ideas) 6. 'Well Mary, what are they saying here?' 7. Group discussions in the classroom 8. Chemical compositions 9. A variety of methods 10. Developing pupils' skills 11. Something to mop up with Part 4: Assessment: a way through 12. Assessing and evaluating in science education Part 5: Making science accessible to all 13. Gender differences in pupils' reaction to practical work 14. Teaching Chemistry to pupils for whom English in a second language part 6: Science education: a debate 15: Redefining and orientating practical work in school science 16. What is scientific method and can it be taught? 17. Practical work in science - a task-based approach 18. The overselling of science education in the eighties