Discusses the goals and context of the Project Integrating Science and Math with Language Arts and Social Studies (PRISM) program. Describes in detail how the unit was developed, particularly the content connections and activities for the main subject areas. (Author/CCM)

Presents a multidisciplinary unit on natural dyes designed to take advantage of the natural curiosity of middle school students. Discusses history of dyes, natural dyes, preparation of dyes, and the dyeing process. (JRH)

Describes the importance of eating properly. Presents two middle school level activities: the first activity has students record what they eat for nine days; the second activity includes listing the foods according to the food pyramid and discussing their decisions. Recommends three Web sites. (YDS)

Presents three science activities on algae targeting middle school and high school students. Uses an interdisciplinary approach and meets the National Science Education Standards. (YDS)

Introduces land snails for use in inquiry-based science activities. Describes common characteristics and safety considerations while introducing students to land snails. Explains procedures for inquiry-based use of land snails in classrooms. (YDS)

Presents a demonstration to show the formation of images in the retina in normal vision, in farsightedness, and in nearsightedness using only a 35mm slide projector. (MKR)

Describes a scavenger hunt activity that has been used successfully with middle school students in an earth science course. This activity includes items that call for library research rather than the collection of objects, emphasize real-world connections, are skill-oriented, ask for originality and creativity, and are just for fun. (JRH)

Describes a classroom activity that explores the strength of spaghetti. Provides students an opportunity to explore a common substance in a scientific way; measure the strength of various sizes and amounts of spaghetti; gather, record, and translate quantitative data; use calculators; and present data. (YDS)

Describes an activity on biomass measurement which, in this case, is the weight of a group of living things in a given area. The earthworm activity gives students a greater understanding of ecology, practical math applications, and the scientific method. (ASK)

Introduces the pea plant experiment targeted to determine the effects of Knop's solution, a solution containing all the necessary minerals, on plant growth. Compares two groups of pea plants, one treated with Knop's solution and one treated with demineralized water. (YDS)

Introduces the Galileo Inclined Plane activity in which students learn about accelerated motion without using modern timing devices. (YDS)

Presents a science activity that is a combination of guided-inquiry and open-inquiry in which students investigate crayfish. (YDS)

Describes activities to introduce middle school students to the metric system. Involves converting common cookbook recipes from English to metric measure and then having students reconvert the recipes and prepare them as an assignment. (JRH)

Presents an inquiry-based science laboratory on the harmonic motion of the pendulum aimed at middle and high school students. Explains the appropriate assessment procedure for the laboratory. (YDS)

Helps middle school students understand the concept of solubility through hands-on experience with a variety of liquids and solids. As they explore factors that affect solubility and saturation, students gain content mastery and an understanding of the inquiry process. Also enables teachers to authentically assess student performance on several…