502 School Science and Mathematics HOGUE, J. AND SIMMONS, B. "Refuel Here for Energy Conservation Ideas", Science and Children, 15(6): 22-24 (March 1978). KRYGER, K.C. "Some Guidelines for Energy Programs", Today’s Education, 66(3): 60-62 (Sept.Oct. 1977). LOEFFLER, K. "Let’s Make Teachers Energy Experts Before Activists", The Science Teach- er, 42(4): 26-27 (April 1975). National Assessment of Educational Progress, Energy Knowledge and Attitudes: Denver, Colorado (Dec. 1978). ODUM, C.E. AND ODUM, H.T. "Energy Systems Education", American Biology Teacher, 39(7): 420-423 (October 1977). High School Science Courses Do Make a Difference Dorothy L. Gabel Department of Science and Environmental Education Indiana University Bloom ing ton, Indiana 47405 and Robert D. Sherwood Program in Science Education New York University New York, New York 10003 INTRODUCTION Students enrolled in elementary education frequently shy away from science courses on both the high school and college level. Many students take only those courses required for graduation or to meet certification requirements. On the high school level this may mean that a student takes only one science course. Yet these students are expected to teach science after completing their bachelors degree. A recent NSF study re- ported that over 16 per cent of the elementary teachers in the country ad- mitted that they were unprepared to provide their students the most rudi- mentary training in science and mathematics.1 There are several ways that teachers can acquire both science concepts and skills that will prepare them for teaching science. Do the number of high school science courses in which a student enrolls make a difference? If so what kind of a difference do they make? A study of factors that might predict success in a Basic Science Skills course for preservice ele- mentary teachers helps answer these questions. METHODS AND PROCEDURES During the fall of 1979, 113 preservice elementary teachers enrolled in a required science course entitled Basic Science Skills. The course con-