A virus is a small, infectious particle that lives inside a host. Today, viruses have an important role in our daily life. The reason for this is that viruses, including coronavirus (COVID-19), are affecting many people in the world. The most important measure that can be taken to stop the spread of the disease will be self-taken measures along…

Matter is an essential science topic that is often challenging to teach at the early elementary levels. Learning about matter helps students develop a solid foundation for more complex concepts that are taught in later years. Make this abstract concept developmentally appropriate for children by engaging them in investigations that focus on…

There is an increasing focus across all educational sectors to ensure that learning objectives are aligned with learning activities and assessments. An attractive approach previously published is that of curriculum alignment projects. This paper discusses the use of the fun and famous "Elephant's Toothpaste" experiment as a customizable…

Analyzing evolutionary relationships requires that students have a thorough understanding of evidence and of how scientists use evidence to develop these relationships. In this lesson sequence, students work in groups to process many different lines of evidence of evolutionary relationships between ungulates, then construct a scientific argument…

Extracting DNA from fruit and vegetables provides students with hands-on opportunities to engage with a visualisation of genetic material that can later be supported by ICT and practical model making. Here is a quick, cheap and easy way to extract DNA from strawberries that avoids the mess involved in other DNA extractions, such as from dried…

"Yuuuck!" "Gross!" "Cool!" The response to slugs is never indifference. These slimy creatures are perfect for captivating students' imagination and curiosity, and they are ideal subjects to introduce investigative science. This article describes a classroom activity in which students design a research investigation to answer the question: "Is slug…

It is not common to introduce current astronomy in school lessons. This article presents a set of experiments about gravitational lenses. It is normal to simulate them by means of computers, but it is very simple to simulate similar effects using a drinking glass full of liquid or using only the glass base. These are, of course, cheap and easy…

Outlines eight science experiments that require no materials except household trash. (SJL)

The study and construction of sundials is a useful teaching aid at several levels of instruction, since it involves understanding the shape, divisions, and major motions of the earth. (Author/RLV)

Provides directions for basic science experiments which demonstrate the rain cycle, fundamentals of cloud formation, and testing for the presence of acidity in local rainwater. Describes materials required, step-by-step instructions, and discussion topics. (NEC)

The ninth installment of the Science in a Box series (self-contained, hands-on activities for students grades three and up) presents activities for learning to use the sense of touch to determine how different objects conduct heat. All projects in the series are inexpensive and easy to assemble. (SM)

Outlined are simple activities for studying soil, which can be conducted in the schoolyard. Concepts include soil profiles, topsoil, soil sizes, making soil, erosion, slope, and water absorption. (SJL)

Notes that water can be an important medium for science, math, and language activities and how encouraging young children to think about water helps them understand important concepts about how the world works. Offers detailed instructions for 13 classroom activities that use water to demonstrate a variety of concepts. (TJQ)

A series of charts lists weekly activities for conducting a hands-on science laboratory in grades K-6. Arranged by grade level, the charts complement chapters in the "Gateways to Science" textbook series (McGraw-Hill, 1979). For each week, a concept to be explored is tagged to a 45-minute activity. This document was selected by the…

This article offers ideas and activities to help develop a multidisciplinary unit that motivates students to learn about the languages, legends, and lifestyles of Native Americans. (DF)