A description is given of a class project concerned with examining a population problem and making some political decisions to solve it. A list of topics for the students to research as a basis for their decisions is provided. (DT)

Describes geography activities for elementary students. In the first activity, students learn how to understand coordinates and use them to read maps. In the second activity, students learn the concepts of the legend as well as how to use it to find their way around on a map. (PR)

Presents a series of investigations focusing on the biodegradable packing materials ("peanuts"), which provide a method for exploring science through experimentation. These activities can help fourth through sixth graders sharpen their critical thinking and science process skills. (PR)

Twelve science activities involving the common paper food bag and the small plastic food bag are described. (DT)

Presents two exercises in astronomy: (1) the production of star trails and (2) the measurement of the distance between stars and their apparent movement in the sky. Includes directions, illustrations, and activity questions. (MA)

Presents activities designed to allow students with backgrounds in states of matter and measurement to have a very concrete hands-on, minds-on experience with both physical and chemical changes and to compare and contrast the end products of each type of change in a concrete way. (PR)

Reports the results of a study of four different instructional methods used in teaching earth science at the sixth grade level. The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the didactic approach with the process-managerial, the self-directed, and the motivated self-directed learning methods. (JR)

Describes an activity where students with dirty hands and students with clean hands handle boiled potatoes to observe and compare the growth of mold on the potatoes. (PR)

Presents a reproducible page for students dealing with the following topics: plate tectonics, magma, crust, and earthquakes. Provides a plate tectonics activity that uses cardboard and clay. (PR)

Directions are given for the construction of a manometer to measure animal metabolism. Steps in an experiment to measure frog metabolism are specified. (DT)

Describes an approach of two elementary school teachers in combining instruction in reading and science. Students brainstorm a list of things they know about a topic; then they generate a list of things they wish to find out. Students read and conduct science activities to find out what they wish to know. Then students summarize what was learned.…

Describes activities with organisms from freshwater ponds and ditches. Several experiments involve predation, some involve habitat choices, and one addressees the role of sunlight in supporting plant-eating animals. (PR)

Describes a drama where students play the parts of NASA employees in charge of planning a space mission to one of the planets. (PR)