Since the last issue when we just constituted the Editorial Review Board to implement a better quality assurance mechanism for our journal publication, we had obtained a very great increase (more than 100%) in the number of articles submitted to our journal. Out of the 23 articles that we have processed, only 12 could be accepted for publication in this issue and the rest are either rejected or required for some major revisions in their re-submission. In view of more contributions received, we plan to publish 3 issues in year 2004 (i.e. Volume 5 Issue 1 in April, Volume 5 Issue 2 in August and Volume 5 Issue 3 in December).

Because of our successful experience in online publication, Prof. SALIH ÇEPNI of the Karadeniz Technical University, TURKEY is also planning to publish a similar bilinguish (Turkish-English) online journal in science education for the science teachers in their country. Their journal’s website is located at http://www.tused.org and it is now under construction. We are very glad to be invited to offer advice.

In this issue, it is our great honour to have Dr. Jack HOLBROOK (Secretary, International Council of Associations for Science Education and Visiting Professor, University of Tartu, Estonia) to write for us a reflection-oriented foreword called "Rethink Science Education". In the Academic Articles Section, there are five articles written by 13 authors. Starting from this issue, the original section called General Articles and Multimedia Resources is split into two more focussed sections. One is called the Exemplary Teaching Methods which is reserved for articles on introduction of some new or innovative methods for science teching with actual classroom implementation, or effective application, adoption or modification of some existing teaching methodologies, approaches or strategies for science teching in a new educational context or setting. The other one is called General Articles Section which covers contributions related to the premature or initial findings of a research project or of a pilot study, issues or discussion on curriculum development or policy in science education, nature of science, history of science etc. There are 4 and 3 articles published in these two sections, respectively.

Finally, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the 26 external referees who have carefully and critically reviewed those manuscripts considered for publication in this issue. Of course, we should not forget that all other members of our Editorial Board have offered help to review some of those contributed articles. Thanks are also due to all those who have contributed articles in this issue and to all research assistants and colleagues in the HKIEd Science Department who offered their assistance in developing and promoting this online periodical. Besides, we must thank for a new major sponsor - Modern Educational Research Society Limited who has continued to provide financial support to us for the publication and promotion of our online journal.