The goals of science education include providing students with real-world learning experiences that connect directly to learning objectives and deepen student interest in science. Learning experiences that occur outside of the science classroom can help science educators respond to these goals. To encourage the use of learning environments beyond…

Presents a model describing one approach for extending seemingly limited hands-on activities into full-inquiry science lessons. Presents the model as a tool for facilitating science teachers' efforts to understand and implement powerful, effective, and manageable inquiry-based science instruction. (Contains 34 references.) (Author/ASK)

Compares impacts of traditional classroom and outdoor schoolyard instruction on the environmental science content knowledge and attitudes of 285 third- and fourth-grade students. Indicates that elementary students learned significantly more about selected environmental science topics through outdoor schoolyard experiences than through traditional…

Discusses the role constructivist learning theory is taking in the change of teaching strategies in the science laboratory. The laboratory moves from a place where knowledge is verified to one where relationships are actively investigated through hands-on, cooperative activities. (MDH)

Described is a lesson in which the midpoint of the measuring stick (center of gravity), the balance point of the stick (fulcrum) and the arithmetic mean are assumed to be the same point. Provides content background, lesson outline, procedure, evaluation, teacher notes, and diagrammatical representations. (RT)

Presents a practical model for planning and implementing a field trip as an integral part of the science curriculum. Reviews the literature related to the role of field trips in the learning process; describes the model; and provides an example implementing the learning cycle method. (Contains 17 references.) (MDH)

Instructions are given for a first graders' science and mathematical lesson entitled: "Stone Soup" (based on a popular story by Marcia Brown). Activities include reading, discussing, collecting materials, cooking, growing plants, and observing physical and chemical changes. (CR)

A series of modules designed for teaching energy concepts in a manner related to the classroom, school, and environmental settings is presented. The unit is seen as able to provide both teachers and students with a concept which has far-reaching implications. (MP)

Improvements in the mechanism of the whirlybird used in the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) unit "Subsystems and Variables" are presented. Variables which can be investigated using this device are discussed. An illustration of the improved device is provided. (CW)

Provides reviews of courseware entitled: "Mystery Matter," which is a series that supplements the basic inquiry process; "Jumping Math Flash," which is an arcade-game program with arithmetic problems; and "Quest for Files: Science Rocks and Minerals The Upper Crust," which is a database program for earth science.…

Presents two multiple-lesson activities that integrate science and mathematics. Lessons involve hands-on activities for grades 4-5 to develop the notion of average around building a racer; and accurately estimating and measuring crystal growth in grades 8-12. (MDH)

Presents a study to determine the effects of introducing methods students to the "learning cycle" technique on their ability to adapt science textbooks to the method and employ it in their teaching. Interviews of 24 randomly selected students out of 48 participants indicated that 75 percent used the approach while student teaching and…

Describes features and offerings of Project AIMS (Activities that Integrate Mathematics and Science) which relies on materials developed and written by teachers and uses inexpensive, easily acquired equipment and supplies. The focus is on hands-on mathematics and science. Includes a brief critique of the program. (MKR)

Presents an introductory lesson on remote sensing and image processing to be used in cooperative groups. Students are asked to solve a problem by gathering information, making inferences, transforming data into other forms, and making and testing hypotheses. Includes four expansions of the lesson and a reproducible student worksheet. (MKR)

Presents a study to examine the effects of a verbal teaching strategy versus a strategy providing instruction using activities and manipulatives in four seventh grade earth science classes with students of varying cognitive abilities (n=83). Results indicate that students with more cognitive structures perform better and that using manipulatives…