The recent explosive growth of the Wild Network, which exists to champion and support connection with nature and wildness in children and young people, suggests that there is a groundswell of support for getting young people outdoors. Hannah Rose and Anneke Kempton of the Field Studies Council (FSC) explain why the outdoors is such an important…

In this article, Peter Sainsbury advocates the use of microscopes in the primary classroom to transform the familiar into something quite amazing. After Sainsbury's school borrowed a Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) Microscope Activity Kit, both Sainsbury and the school changed their attitude and approach to using microscopes in the primary…

Consider the extent to which primary science teaching has evolved since it became a core subject in England with the introduction of the National Curriculum in 1988, and the pace at which theory-driven classroom practice has advanced. It is no wonder that, given the recent economic restructuring and boom in technological development in China,…

The introduction of teaching about liquid crystals is discussed from several points of view: the rationale why to teach them, the basics about liquid crystals or what the teacher should teach about them, the fundamental pre-knowledge of students required, the set of experiments accompanying the teaching and the brief report on the already…

The purpose of this article is to address a major gap in the instructional sensitivity literature on how to develop instructionally sensitive assessments. We propose an approach to developing and evaluating instructionally sensitive assessments in science and test this approach with one elementary life-science module. The assessment we developed…

As the authors approached a unit on magnets with their first-grade students, they decided to incorporate more inquiry into their district's learning module, Magnets: Elementary Science and Technology Module for Primary Grades (State College Area School District 1993). By restructuring their lessons, using science talks, and listening carefully to…

Preservice preparation courses for elementary teachers of science can provide opportunities to build pedagogical content knowledge. One common concern of preservice teachers is how to cope with a preplanned lesson that does not proceed as planned. Providing opportunities for preservice teachers to experience the unexpected actually immerses them…

Reports how a school district's elementary science curricula and in-service programs were improved through a series of minicourses. Appraises the procedure, components, and requirements of this approach. Also describes the science loan kit program that was implemented to facilitate hands-on instruction. (ML)

Describes modular science units for use in New Zealand primary schools. Includes a description of format, trial units, final product, and list of titles, as well as samples of a title page and page from a teacher's guide. (DS)

Describes Project COLD (Climate, Ocean, Land, Discovery) a scientific study of the Polar Regions, a collection of 35 modules used within the framework of existing subjects: oceanography, biology, geology, meterology, geography, social science. Includes a partial list of topics and one activity (geodesic dome) from a module. (Author/SK)

Science materials reviewed include "TOPS" (an inquiry-based physical science program for grades five-eight consisting of 22 modules and three books, each covering a single topic) and "Come With Me Science Series" (interdisciplinary science units for grades K-three). Describes and assesses student/teacher materials, typical activities, and overall…

Discusses characteristics of instructional modules that deal with the relationship between science, technology, and society (STS). Provides reviews of 14 print modules and one video that cover such topics as air and water quality, consumer science, genetics, nuclear energy, space, and technological issues. (TW)

Outdoor Biology Instructional Strategies (OBIS) were used successfully to motivate elementary students to learn about biological sciences through outdoor activities in the rural environment. (MH)

This document represents the final report of a workshop conducted by the Kenya Science Teachers' College in cooperation with Unesco's International Environmental Education Program (IEEP). The workshop was designed to: (1) familiarize teacher educators in Africa with the contents of a series of preservice and inservice teacher training modules in…

Describes some instructional modules that focus on the interactions of science, technology and society and are designed for insertion into existing school courses and curricula. Provides review criteria and reviews modules on the farm crisis, land use, life styles, and ecological issues. Includes a complete module outline on food and agriculture.…