Units on static electricity and electrical charges are always a third-grade favorite, with students finding the inquiry and hands-on activities, well, electrifying. However, teachers planning a unit on static electricity may find it difficult to navigate around latex bans. While latex allergy is a serious issue, removing balloons from the…

"Problem-Based Learning in the Physical Science Classroom, K-12" will help your students truly understand concepts such as motion, energy, and magnetism in true-to-life contexts. The book offers a comprehensive description of why, how, and when to implement problem-based learning (PBL) in your curriculum. Its 14 developmentally…

Are you interested in using argument-driven inquiry for middle school lab instruction but just are not sure how to do it? "Argument-Driven Inquiry in Physical Science" will provide you with both the information and instructional materials you need to start using this method right away. The book is a one-stop source of expertise, advice,…

This activity is an example of a hands-on task designed to help children develop a scientific understanding of the concept of wind, use science inquiry skills and explain an everyday phenomenon.

With 101 easy and inexpensive activities to do on school grounds, "Schoolyard Science" can help students develop their observation and inquiry skills as well as an appreciation of their outdoor environment. Covering topics such as lower plants, gardens, insects and other invertebrates, energy, and Earth science, Thomas Lord and Holly Travis…

Uses an inquiry-based, instructor guided teaching approach and presents the activity "Selectivity/Reactivity Principle in Terms of Hammond's Postulate". Includes 17 references. (YDS)

A laboratory experiment for undergraduate biophysical chemistry is described, in which the acid concentration and temperature dependences of the decarboxylation of pyrrole-2-carboxylate are measured using a continuous ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric assay. Data collection and analysis are structured using principles of guided inquiry. Data…

Describes a social studies unit for teaching high school students about energy. Entitled "Energy Tradeoffs in the Marketplace," the unit focuses on economic aspects of energy, economic-related educational games, social decision making with regard to energy, and social studies skill development. (DB)

This CD-ROM uses catastrophic events to teach the fundamentals of the earth's dynamism. Topics discussed include earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, plate tectonics, and many subjects that have to do with energy transfer. It contains 63 interactive, inquiry-based activities that closely simulate real life scientific practice. Students work with…

Focuses on the use of push and go toys to discuss with students how the toy acquires potential energy when work is done on it and how this energy is stored in the internal mechanism for later conversion into kinetic energy. (DDR)

The key to learning is student involvement! This American Association of Physics Teachers/Physics Teaching Resource Agents (AAPT/PTRA) manual presents examples of two techniques that are proven to increase student involvement in your classroom. Based on the "5E" model of learning, exploratories are designed to get your students excited about the…

Exploratorium Science Snacks are miniature versions of some of the most popular exhibits at the Exploratorium, San Francisco's (California) museum of science, art, and human perception. Nearly 100 teachers worked with Exploratorium staff members to create scaled-down versions of exhibits that teachers could make using common, inexpensive,…

Describes two activities for helping elementary and middle school students develop energy consciousness: (1) Energy Chains and (2) The Energy Tank. The Energy Tank is an activity that has students build and race a two-liter soda bottle to reinforce the basic laws of energy conservation. (PR)

Background information and exemplary units for teaching science in Georgia's middle school grades are provided. Discussed in the first section are: (1) the rationale for including science in middle school grades, focusing on science/society/technology, science/social issues, scientific reasoning, and scientific literacy; (2) role of science…

This publication provides an introduction to teaching and learning approaches for the extension topics within GCSE Physics. It highlights some specific ideas that teachers can adopt and where to find further information. It also outlines issues for managing the change. This guide contains sevens sections: Section 1 presents the policy context;…