Our 4th grade year has become known as "the field trip year", with over 10 trips carefully aligned with learning units across the year. This article describes the first trip of the year, which in many ways sets the stage for students' effective use of field trips as engaging extensions and applications of classroom learning. The Pike's…

The purpose of the "Learn Better by Doing" study is to determine the extent to which U.S. public school students are doing hands-on activities in their classrooms. The study asks elementary and secondary (middle and high school) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers to respond to 13 statements concerning…

Research shows student participation in science programming can affect scientific interest, academic performance, college majors, and careers. This article reports a study where results obtained from questionnaires completed by participants, parents, and guardians assessed whether interest in STEM disciplines was advanced by a summer day-camp…

Academics preparing students for experiential placements within professional programs require considerable curriculum planning and pedagogical expertise. Communities of practice involving workshops and online processes provide opportunities for collaborative work in developing quality curriculum materials and also in supporting widespread…

Gives illustrated directions for five brain-teaser activities/experiments utilizing the sun shining into the classroom: sun shadow lines, analemma, hot-boxes, and solar crafts. (NEC)

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)

A series of charts lists weekly activities for conducting a hands-on science laboratory in grades K-6. Arranged by grade level, the charts complement chapters in the "Gateways to Science" textbook series (McGraw-Hill, 1979). For each week, a concept to be explored is tagged to a 45-minute activity. This document was selected by the…

Describes independent and group research activities for the classroom focusing on the properties of air. (SS)

Presents activities that focus on shadows to teach about seasonal changes and the earth's tilting axis. Includes suggestions for indoor discussions, diagrams, and models, and for outdoor observations and measurements of shadows. (SV)

Offers suggestions for spring activities focusing on plant reproduction both indoors and outdoors. Suggests planting seeds to observe, measure, and record effects of temperature, moisture, fertilizer. Recommends outdoor study of the horsetail plant. (NEC)

Presents summer science activities for elementary students which focus on sunlight and other natural and artificial light sources (e.g., fire, flashlights, and fireflies). Related activities which involve language arts, art, and math are included. A reproducible page teaches children Morse Code using a flashlight. (SM)

Describes the nine modules of the SAVI/SELPH program, a hands-on, multisensory science program developed for grade 4-7 visually impaired, orthopedically disabled, learning disabled, deaf, and multihandicapped students. Modules consist of measurement, structures of life, scientific reasoning, communication, magnetism and electricity, mixtures and…

Describes the Monthly Data Grapher, a microcomputer program which helps visualize data to discern patterns and which is suitable for use with elementary school children. Some of its uses are noted and the microcomputer program itself is included. (MBR)

Presents low-cost learning activities to help teach elementary students about the earth's magnetic field. One project has students make a model of the earth's magnetic field. Another has them experiment with magnetism. (SM)

Every school, no matter how urbanized, has an outdoor locale that can be used to expand and enrich classroom learning. It may be the school yard, the surrounding grounds, or the managed and landscaped lawns or garden. Or perhaps a park or overgrown vacant lot is within walking distance. This guide will help elementary and junior high school…