This article highlights three key features that appeared to add value to young people's experience of a school-linked environmental education initiative built around conservation activities. The three features -- close-up encounters with other species, working with external experts, and a degree of informality -- were identified through a…

The decline of biodiversity and natural habitats, and the lack of progress in society's behaviour towards conservation, has prompted research into effective educational programs. Studies have shown that positive emotions towards nature, particularly in relation to the innate human predisposition towards the natural environment, can encourage…

This article details the approach taken to a recent study in an environmental education context, with a focus on the writing and analysis of ethnographic fieldnotes. This approach drew upon aspects of new materialist theory and multi-species ethnography for the writing of fieldnotes, and Situational Analysis for their analysis. These approaches…

To meet the challenges of the 21st century, education cannot be restricted to reading and writing. Innovations that support our students' development as leaders and responsible citizens and stewards of the environment are also needed.

This study investigated the perception of 13 invasive alien animal species (IAAS) by 220 teacher students and their attitudes towards species management, either with or without prior information about the IAAS presented. In a first questionnaire, the IAAS (eight vertebrates, five invertebrates) were presented as photographs and their invasive…

During the recent Ebola outbreak of 2014-15, science teachers were fighting a different kind of epidemic--an epidemic of misinformation. Despite the low risk of spread here in the U.S., some school districts closed schools when they learned that staff, parents, or students had been on the same flight as one of the infected Dallas nurses. A poll by…

The lesson described herein is the result of a partnership between a teacher and an entomologist brought together by a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded grant that paired teachers and researchers to impact K-12 STEM education through partnership and innovation. This collaboration resulted in five lessons featuring live insects such as…

New science standards and reform recommendations spanning grades K--16 focus on a limited set of key scientific concepts from each discipline that all students should know. They also emphasize the integration of these concepts with science practices so that students learn not only the "what" of science but also the "how" and…

The efficacy of Educate to Eradicate, a K-12 service-learning science curricula developed as part of a statewide, community-based Extension effort for termite prevention, was evaluated. The curricula use termite biology and control as the basis for science education and have been implemented in over 350 Hawaii public school classrooms with more…

With 101 easy and inexpensive activities to do on school grounds, "Schoolyard Science" can help students develop their observation and inquiry skills as well as an appreciation of their outdoor environment. Covering topics such as lower plants, gardens, insects and other invertebrates, energy, and Earth science, Thomas Lord and Holly Travis…

Introduces a 2-day laboratory experiment on scientific inquiry and the environment. Studies antlion classification and investigates anatomy, habitat, life cycle, behavior, and other properties of antlions. Adapted for different grade levels and includes a scientific journal report. (YDS)

A unit on insect collecting can be exciting for hearing impaired students as well as helping to develop basic research skills. (CL)

The webs of eight North American spiders are illustrated and discussed. Using these webs, the spiders are able to catch insects for their meals. Each of the webs are unique and require a different approach to the problem of food getting. (MA)

Specific characteristics of the different spiders' webs are discussed. Photographs illustrate the various web designs and web-making spiders. Included also are the numerous uses a spider makes from its own web. (MA)

Discusses discovery, types, and actions of pheromones in bees, ants, moths, and butterflies. Describes field activities for studying the presence and effects of pheromones on insect behavior. (NEC)