Application of A.N. Leontiev's psychological activity theory in natural science instruction in secondary school

The paper describes finding of studies that have been conducted during the last 20 years by a group of specialists from the Faculty of Psychology at Moscow State University. The studies were aimed at improving natural science instruction and development of schoolchildren. The researchers made an attempt to project the main tenets of the activity theory onto the didactic requirements to the construction of an academic subject and organization of learning. Existing curricula and teaching materials were then modified to meet the requirements. Experimental instruction at different educational levels has proved effectiveness of the instructional model created by the authors.