The "Under the Mistletoe" project was developed to capitalize on student curiosity about the American Christmas Mistletoe plant and draw learners into an engaging, inquiry-based exercise that incorporates numerous life science standards and collaborative research. By collecting data on host and nonhost tree size, location, and number of mistletoe…

An activity that can be used to teach plant nutrition and the use of hydroponics is presented. Materials and procedures are discussed. Possible topics for science projects are suggested. (CW)

Discusses the importance of the electron microscope, and in particular the scanning electron microscope, in studying the surface topography, sectional substructures, and patterns of development of pollen grains. The production, dispersal methods, and structure of pollen grains are described and illustrated with numerous electron micrographs. (JR)

Describes symbiosis and its significance in the day-to-day lives of plants and animals. Gives specific examples of mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism in the relationships among fungus and plant roots, animals and bacteria, birds and animals, fish, and predator and prey. (MDH)

Describes how plants can be produced by cloning by using tissue culture methods to mass-produce rare native prairie plants and trying to transfer some of the genetic characteristics of native grasses into cultivated cereals. The experiment was conducted at South Dakota State University. (HM)

Explains how a science teacher's experiences as a chimney sweep were used to provide new material for introducing and reinforcing scientific concepts. Photographs of chimney inhabitants were used as the raw data for student inquiries into the ecological processes taking place in and around chimneys. (RT)

Pollination vectors of a variety of types are described including beetles, bees, flies, moths, birds, bats, and the wind. Some of the adaptations of plants designed to help facilitate pollination are discussed. Strategies for incorporating this information into a lesson plan are suggested. (CW)

Deals with a fungus that plays an important role in the forests of Asia as a decomposer of recently dead trees and in agriculture as an important edible mushroom. Describes how to culture these mushrooms including materials, conditions, and troubleshooting. Gives ideas for classroom activities. (CW)

Discusses a unicellular component of hytoplankton that can easily be collected and studied in the classroom. Describes how to construct and use a diatometer. Suggests activities that can be done with diatoas collected outdoors or grown in an aquarium. (CW)