A learning activity is described in which the children become involved in dialogs with the Earth and its resources, and in turn the eye reads the surroundings and becomes more skilled at observation. (EB)

Presents exploratory activities for preschool children as they seek to become acquainted with the world about them. Some of the ways in which these experiences involve science concepts are discussed. (Author/EB)

Presents the rationale behind the need to teach the metric system and includes a description of the most important metric units. The stages through which children pass as they develop an understanding of the process of measurement are discussed. Bibliographic material is included. (EB)

Describes exploratory activities for a young child seeking to become acquainted with the world in which he lives. (EB)

Discusses the fact that when the materials or interactions used as a basis for a science activity posses a high degree of familiarity, the student may rely on past experience rather than on gathering data to use in making judgments. In such cases, a simple request for observed evidence should be made. (MLH)

Opportunities for science learnings at a woodworking bench are listed and described. Scientific inquiry is promoted through free experimentation; opportunities to grasp spatial and mathematical understanding are two examples presented. Helpful information related to use of this instructional procedure is included. (Author/EB)

Science learning does not depend on textbook reading. First hand experiences should be provided to children. Supplementary readings and activities must accompany such experiences. (PS)

Some ways in which exploratory activities of the preschool child involve science concepts are described. The role of adults knowledgeable about both science and child development is stressed. Emphasis is placed on hands-on experiences. (EB)

Hands-on experiences are encouraged and some examples given to promote discovery learning for the very young. (EB)

Explains that in teaching scientific concepts in the elementary school the focus should be on observations and inferences, that can be drawn only from observation, suitable to the childrens' mental maturity, and carried out in an environment that reinforces discovery learning. (GA)

Suggests that the effectiveness of non-directive, activity-centered teaching methods can be enhanced when the teacher spends less time interacting with students and more time observing them. (MLH)

Discusses attitudes seemingly engendered by practices in science teaching. Comments on explanations of scientific phenomena which appear in recent science texts as over-simplified and thus impede the child's imagination. (Author/EB)

Describes the intellectual development stages ascribed to children by Jean Piaget. Characteristics and examples are given for sensori-motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational thinking periods. Implications are given for elementary school science education, including (1) formal instruction does not accelerate acquisition…