Many elementary school teachers do not feel comfortable teaching physical science using inquiry-based methods and do not have the required background to present science as agender-neutral activity that relates to the every-day lives of both male and female students. This is primarily a result of their university training. The work proposed here would result in a revised introductory physics curriculum for pre-service teachers, particularly those at institutions employing the quarter system. The curriculum is to be developed as a series of hands-on activities and exploration/research projects, and will include historical and current biographical material on scientists of both sexes and a variety of racial backgrounds. The activities will focus on areas, such as health and the environment, that have been shown to be of concern to students, particularly female students. Effectiveness of the curriculum for both male and female students will be tested in the classroom and results will be disseminated in the literature and through electronic media. A final version of the curriculum will be made available for general adoption through a publisher.
