The Impact of a Standards Guided Equity and Problem Solving Institute on Participating Science Teachers and Their Students.

This study examines the effect of a teacher enhancement project combining training on the National Science Education Standards, problem solving and equity education on middle school science teachers' attitudes and practices and, in turn, the attitudes of their students. Participating teachers reported changes in their instructional methods that included increases in the use of cooperative learning, scientific inquiry, creative problem solving and questions directed toward higher order cognitive processes. Participating teachers' students indicated positive changes in attitudes and views toward science, particularly in the responses of female students and students of color.