JVSE

Journal

Journal of Virginia Science Education

Teachers-to-be, educators of all levels, school administrators, and informal science educators are invited to submit papers to be considered for publication in JVSE.  JVSE is a peer-reviewed professional journal of the Virginia Association of Science Teachers. JVSE is supported by editors, reviewers, and an editorial review board. The principal criterion for the acceptance of a manuscript will be that it contributes to strengthening the teaching and learning of science.

Call for Submissions

Theme for Spring 2008 Issue  (Volume 2, Number 2): Partnerships in Science Education

Collaborative partnerships can greatly benefit teachers and students. When our students see us building and working collaboratively, our example is a powerful message about the importance of collaboration in school and in life.

As Virginia science educators, we are fortunate to have a wide range of people and organizations that are ready and willing to enrich teaching and learning. In this issue, we are looking for examples of collaborations that demonstrate how science education is impacted from partnerships. We are considering partnerships from a broad perspective but a few examples might be partnerships with: colleagues from across the hall or across the country, colleges or universities, other disciplines such as math or reading, informal organizations such as science centers or museums, local or state agencies, and businesses. Special consideration will be given to unlikely partnerships-those partnerships that expand the notion of what a partnership is and what it can be.

The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2008. Direct submissions or inquiries to: Michele Lombard journal@vast.org

Guidelines for submission:

1.  Describe and reflect on classroom methods and activities (use articles in the NSTA journals College Science Teaching, The Science Teacher, Science Scope, and Science and Children as models for these articles). We are looking for the lesson and, in addition, background information, a rationale, connections to the curriculum, correlations to Virginia Standards of Learning and the National Science Education Standards, and education research that supports the approach.

2.  Examine current issues in science education.

3.  Describe original research related to science education (e.g., classroom-based research, university-based research).

4.  Describe a science education project going on in Virginia of interest to other science educators in the state.

5.  Address the theme of the issue.

Manuscripts are accepted in four formats: articles (full length), notes (limited to two printed pages), letters to the editor for comments on previously published articles, and book reviews on topics of interest to science educators.

Papers are sought that have the potential to strengthen science education at all levels. Your paper(s) should be original, clearly written and organized logically. It must not have been submitted or be in submission for any other publication. Be sure to give credit to others for ideas you’ve used in APA (5th edition) format. A good APA reference can be found at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/. Any illustrations must be copyright free. Manuscript length can vary but should include an abstract. Submit your document as a Word© or text document.

On the title page provide each author’s name, current position, mailing address, e-mail address, home and work telephone numbers and fax number. Cite only direct sources, and use the author date reference style (e.g., Smith, 1996) in the text. Bibliographies and resource lists should be alphabetized and limited to current, readily available items. Check the accuracy of your items carefully. When in doubt, use NSTA journals for reference.

Photographic images can be in color or black and white, and should be submitted electronically in jpg or gif format. If submitting as a text document, attach images separately. Students in lab must be shown following appropriate safely guidelines and wearing proper safety attire, including splash-proof goggles. Their faces can be visible, but they should not look directly at the camera. If the image is used, a signed release form will be required of each student pictured.