The enthusiasm for science displayed by students in early elementary grades is unparalleled. If not nurtured in elementary school, the spark for learning science diminishes. Unfortunately, the amount of time spent on science in Grades 1-4 has steadily declined since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. In 2012, the National…

Placing exhibits in public places provides a unique opportunity to reach a broad non-museum-going audience. It offers marketing and publicity opportunities as well as the potential to develop relationships with agencies and individuals who are stakeholders in the public site. The purpose of this guidebook is to describe the steps in creating an…

Project ASTRO is an innovative program to support science education by linking teachers and students in grades 4-9 with amateur and professional astronomers with the overall goal being to increase students' interest in astronomy and science in general. This manual was designed for teachers, amateur and professional astronomers, youth group…

Factors which make a science program effective are discussed, including such skills as: observation; data collection; classification; inference; measurement; prediction; communication; relationships; hypothesis; and models. (CB)

Science education reform is an ongoing, forever changing process. The purpose of this booklet is to provide a brief overview of the players in science education reform, the similarities in their underlying beliefs, and the essential changes that need to be made in science education to ensure maximum use of resources that promote effective learning…

This report is intended as an information resource for teachers, scientists, and others involved in developing science curricula, science literacy materials for the public, or related information addressing issues of science education reform. The following sections are included: (1) Introduction; (2) The Big (Numbers) Picture: Selected Data; (3)…

Describes the Center for Chemistry Education (CCE) model for teacher development. Provides three examples of professional development programs that were taken primarily from three CCE initiatives that include Teaching Science with Toys, Partners for Terrific Science, and Science Integration in Today's Elementary Schools. (Contains 12 references.)…

Students must be educated about the planet on which they live. This book presents instructional ideas for anyone who is charged with developing an environmental program for students. Chapter 1, "The Whys, Whats and Ways of Earth Education," provides a description of the program and how it can be used to teach students of their role in…

This booklet is one of four volumes developed to make science more accessible to students with disabilities. It discusses issues in program accessibility for program directors, parents, and teachers are: (1) finding out that out-of-school science programs require a great deal of effort; and (2) having to investigate the accessibility of the site…

This document contains a critical analysis of Project Learning Tree (PLT). PLT was developed and distributed in the mid-1970s. It consists of 2 activity guides, one for grades K-6 with 89 activities and another for grades 7-12 with 88 activities. The program also provides free workshops for teachers and others. The analysis of PLT includes the…

A Water Celebration is a free one- to three-day event to entertain and educate communities about the importance of water. Celebrations organized for school children include classroom activities, exhibit areas, contests, games, and teacher networking opportunities. Celebrations for adults range from water conservation conventions to forums on wise…

Biological and Earth Systems Science (BESS) is a two-year integrated biological and earth systems science curriculum for ninth and tenth grade students developed in response to the national and statewide dissatisfaction with secondary science programs. This report provides an overview of the program's history, aims, implementation strategies,…

Provides tips for viewing Comet Halley in the Northeast including best viewing dates from November 1985-January 1986. Discusses going south to view the comet in March-April 1986 and gives specific information about accommodations for the Halley Rally in Everglades National Park, southernmost site in the contiguous 48 states. (JHZ)

Introduces a science program that provides an exciting, safe, and interactive educational experience. Describes activities and the impact of this program. (KHR)

This document is a comprehensive directory of Federal offices, programs, and facilities for K-12 education in mathematics and science for the Far West Region. Its purpose is to assist educators, parents, and students in attaining the National Education Goals, particularly Goal 4: "By the year 2000, U.S. students will be first in the world in…