Interconnectedness changes lives. It can even save lives. Recently the author got to witness and be part of something in his role as a teacher of primary science that has changed lives: it may even have saved lives. It involved primary science teaching--and the climate. Robert Collins describes how it is all interconnected. The "Toilet…

In this paper we describe a model for a science fair, within the context of an elementary science methods course. We first describe the theoretical perspectives from which the idea of science fairs derives and we provide definitions as we sketch the characteristics of commonly used science fairs. We then describe the context and processes of a…

Reported is a study on the problem-solving skills of sixth-grade students. Three curricula were utilized in the study: Science - A Process Approach (SAPA), the Laidlaw textbook series, and the Environmental Studies (ES) Project materials. Twenty-seven teachers in eight schools participated. Each of the teachers taught one of the three curricula.…

Reported at the National Science Teachers Association in April, 1972, in New York City, this investigation was designed to test the importance of pupil manipulation of science materials in the attainment of science process skills for kindergarten and third grade students. It has focused on a specific kind of learning task: acquisition of science…

Most early years practitioners heed this advice--"Well planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge (DFEE/QCA, 2000, P. 25)--and provide environments in which children can play. Sefton LEA wanted staff to provide opportunities for children to construct "places to…

This guide is a result of two years' piloting and revising the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) program for the students of Guam. The life science portions of SCIS were chosen and adapted for the ecology of the area. Program flexibility is stressed and outdoor activities are encouraged. Used in grade one, the topic of organisms is…

Determines effect of a process-oriented science curriculum on students' (N=83) ability to transfer and utilize problem-solving skills, and the relation of basic and integrated processes to the development of those skills. Discusses methodology and implications for teaching problem solving, stressing the need for process-oriented curricula.…

In this set of six booklets on graphing, intermediate grade students learn how to choose which kind of graph to make; make bar graphs, histograms, line graphs, and conversion graphs; and use graphs to compare two sets of data. The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended,…

In this set of five booklets on measuring, primary grade students learn how to use a stopwatch, choose the correct tool to measure distance, use a trundle wheel, make a scale drawing, and find the speed of things. The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended, long-range…

In this set of five booklets on measuring, intermediate grade students learn how to use a stopwatch, choose the right tool to measure distance, use a trundle wheel, make a scale drawing, and find the speed of things. The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended, long-range…

In this set of three booklets on simplifying data, primary grade students learn how to round off data and to find the median and average from sets of data. The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended, long-range investigations of real problems. In most instances students learn…

In this set of six booklets on simplifying data, intermediate grade students learn how to tell what data show, find the median/mean/mode from sets of data, find different kinds of ranges, and use key numbers to compare two sets of data. The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on…

The major emphasis in all Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) units is on open-ended, long-range investigations of real problems. Since children often design and build things in USMES, 26 "Design Lab" cards provide information on the safe use and simple maintenance of tools. Each card has a large photograph of…

This Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) unit challenges students to find the best way to advertise a product or idea they want to promote. The challenge is general enough to apply to many problem-solving situations in mathematics, science, social science, and language arts at any elementary school level (grades 1-8).…

Finding ways to make bicycle riding a safe and convenient way to travel is the challenge of this Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) unit. The challenge is general enough to apply to many problem-solving situations in mathematics, science, social science, and language arts at any elementary school level (grades 1-8).…