This valuable and entertaining compendium of Bill Robertson's popular "Science 101" columns, from NSTA member journal "Science and Children," proves you don't have to be a science geek to understand basic scientific concepts. The author of the best-selling "Stop Faking It!" series explains everything from quarks to photosynthesis, telescopes to…

This packet contains a series of teaching guides on land and people. This series features lessons on Cape Cod, the Everglades, and Los Angeles. Each section is divided into two parts: "For the Student" and "For the Teacher." The student materials give students a focus question to answer and also provide them with information…

This publication presents a science activity and instructional information on the mechanics of granular materials, interparticle friction and geometric interlocking between particles which is a fundamental concept in many fields like in the study of earthquakes. This document describes the Mechanics of Granular Materials (MGM) experiments which…

The SETI Academy Planet Project provides an exciting, informative, and creative series of activities for elementary students (grades 5-6) in these activities each student plays the role of a cadet at the SETI Academy, a fictitious institution. This unit examines the evolution of stars and planets which is an important aspect of the search for…

This publication presents a science activity and instructional information on mechanics of granular materials, interparticle friction and geometric interlocking between particles which is a fundamental concept in many fields like earthquakes. The activity described in this document focuses on the principal strength of granular materials,…

Suggestions and tips for novice and experienced eclipse watchers are provided. Discussed are the mysterious shadow bands that occur just minutes before an eclipse. Directions for building a deluxe pinhole projector for observing the eclipse, a reading list, and a glossary of related terms are included. (KR)

This booklet was produced in an effort to increase the awareness and appreciation of young people for the Earth's resources. The Mining Education Glossary is intended to provide easy reference to mining terms which are used in the minerals recovery industry and as a useful resource for teaching basic learning skills. Accompanying the glossary are…

Described is how an ordinary FM radio or television receiver can indicate when a meteor streaks overhead by receiving distant broadcast signals. Temperature inversions and the presence of ionized clouds can also be detected using receivers. Information on the troposphere and ionosphere and directions for the activity are included. (KR)

Information on how a shortwave radio can be used to make empirical observations about solar activity and the Earth's geomagnetic field is provided. How to interpret transmissions of shortwave propagation information, weather conditions, and highly accurate time signals from shortwave stations is discussed. (KR)

This book offers a large collection of Earth science projects and project ideas for students, teachers, and parents. The projects described are complete but can also be used as spring boards to create expanded projects. Overviews, organizational direction, suggested hypotheses, materials, procedures, and controls are provided. The projects…

Presents a simple, graphical method for tracking the apparent motion of the Moon through a seven-day phase. Describes the necessary equipment, and the daily procedure for making observations. Includes suggested open-ended questions along with an appropriate reference. (JJK)

What can the rocks in old stone walls say about how the earth's crust was shaped, melted by volcanoes, carved by glaciers, and worn by weather? What can they say about earlier people on the land and the first European settlers? The book, written for elementary-age children, tells the story of a New England farmer and his grandson walking beside…

The terms "high energy" and "low energy" refer to the amount of energy a wave has that reaches the face of a beach. In this student guide, two types of beaches are investigated. The objective is to be able to identify whether a beach is of high or low energy. Background information is provided, as well as instructions and…

This document contains a student guide and a teacher guide on the topic of waves. The investigation includes three activities which lead students to an understanding of how waves are formed and how they move in water. Activity A introduces students to the parts of a wave. A demonstration using a stream table leads them to discover different…

Originally designed for gifted students, these reproducible geology units emphasize the use of higher order thinking skills and are appropriate for use in any classroom. Interdisciplinary in content, the units provide a broad view of geology. Included are two complete units, one created for the upper elementary gifted student and the other for the…