Describes a course that uses video production projects to entice lower level students into independent field investigation, reinforce their scientific curiosity, and build their confidence in the value of their own observations. Discusses the rationale behind using video, the lab structure, the success of this approach, and logistics and…

Describes an education-government-community environmental partnership program that set aside permanent environmental study sites where students and teachers can conduct meaningful, service-oriented environmental research. Highlights a project where students prepared a comprehensive plant species inventory of a section of the wilderness area.…

While developing a research course for gifted high school students, improvements were made in a local pond. Students worked for a semester learning research techniques, statistical analysis, and limnology. At the end of the course, the three students produced a joint scientific paper detailing their study of the pond. (MA)

Means of accessing information above the textbook level for student research projects and a way of simplifying the process of assimilating research materials are described. Directions for developing "booster" bibliographies, simplified bibliographies on a specific topic that students can use to get them started, are included. (KR)

Describes a cooperative learning project that taps into students' energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to present information to the class about a disease. (ASK)

The research report approach is suggested as a successful technique for student exposure to a diversity of bioethical issues. These interdisciplinary reports require students to analyze a controversy's components to ensure an intelligent resolution of it. Report format, list of suggested topics, and objectives of completing reports are included.…

Presents an exercise that addresses issues of biodiversity, human ecology, and tropical forest loss which requires students to consider several factors surrounding three fictitious land-use scenarios. Stimulates students to first review and then openly debate situations that require the simultaneous consideration of many factors. (JRH)

Utilizing the vast diversity of planktonic communities that exist in local, temperate ponds and lakes, the authors describe a simple exercise that gives students both a field and classroom experience in biodiversity. (ZWH)

Describes a high school project which integrates art and science by providing biology students with opportunities to exhibit student art work on biological subjects. (CS)

An indirect procedure that uses the foraging behavior of animals at experimental food patches to address questions in animal behavior is discussed. Suggested projects that include the concepts of predation risk, harvest rates and metabolic costs, missed opportunity costs, and competition are described. (KR)

Suggests that preservice teachers who develop an active interest in project work will continue to exploit it and feel self-confident to master new approaches to biology and to the techniques of teaching. (LS)

Describes a one-week camping trip to Acadia National Park (Maine) as a non-credit educational experience. Includes activities such as population studies in intertidal zones, wild life sketching, nature list hikes (forest devastation by fire, beaver ponds, glacial ponds and streams), fishing and clamming rips, and student projects. (CS)

Described is a project in which students find a living population in their community and either study it in the field or bring it into the laboratory for study. Seven example projects are suggested. (CW)

Suggests individual student projects for extra-credit work to enhance student individuality. Provides a sample information sheet for independent projects (with suggested activities), a listing of project requirements, and a project evaluation checklist. (DS)

A method of teaching ecology that incorporates field trips and student projects is described. A list of possible field trips and directions for guiding students as they proceed with their projects are provided. (KR)