Herbaria, collections of preserved plant specimens, have existed for 500 years as repositories of information about plants. Many of these collections are now being digitized, making them available to a much broader audience including students and teachers. Specimens can be used in a variety of different contexts in teaching biology, including from…

Following professional development (PD), implementation of contemporary topics into high school biology requires teachers to make critical decisions regarding integration of novel content into existing course scope and sequence. Often exciting topics, such as neuroscience, do not perfectly align with standards. Despite commitment to enacting what…

This article describes two lessons within the authors' education module entitled, Ecological Networks, that successfully teaches introductory systems content to middle and high school students. To catch students' attention when teaching these new concepts, they decided to use a network that was familiar and fun for students--a cell-phone…

Current reform documents place a strong emphasis on students' understandings of the nature of science (NOS). Interestingly, the importance of this educational outcome is not new and has been agreed upon as important by most scientists and science educators for the past 100 years. Despite numerous attempts, including the major curricular reform…

Seychelles Integrated Science (SIS), a 3-year laboratory-based science program for students (ages 11-15) in upper primary grades 7, 8, and 9, was developed from an extensive evaluation and modification of previous P7-P9 materials. This P8 SIS unit focuses on reproduction in animals and in flowering plants. Particular topics examined include the…

SELECTED ARTICLES THAT APPEARED IN "THE SCIENCE TEACHER" DURING THE PERIOD 1960-1966 ARE INCLUDED IN THIS SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCE FOR HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY TEACHERS. SUBDIVISIONS ARE (1) CONTENT BACKGROUND FOR TEACHERS, (2) CURRICULUM, AND (3) CLASSROOM IDEAS. CONTENT ARTICLES ARE PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH THOSE ASPECTS OF BIOLOGY THAT ARE…

Describes a scavenger hunt activity that stimulates active learning. Presents objectives, examples, pitfalls, grading methods, and evaluation based on course experiences with the technique. Although the method was used with lower division biology courses, it is applicable to a wide variety of science courses at various levels. (SAH)

This unit and teacher's guide were prepared for use with primary grade children. The activities include the construction of a desert terrarium, the study of cacti, and the use of animal sort cards. A special section is devoted to the way parents can help with the unit. A detailed list of needed materials is provided in the guide. This work was…

Describes a high school biology program based on student investigations. The comparative study of different topics in plants and animals is stressed. First phase of the course centers around relationships between the ecosphere and the individual; the second phase considers the molecules and the individual. (PS)

Discusses teaching ecology in high schools in terms of kinds of problems suitable for study and management of field and laboratory activities. (EB)

This book presents an experimental approach to the teaching of biology in secondary schools. Starting with a unit on microscopy, the study centers on animals. The two particular examples taken are those of the rat and the rabbit. A number of experiments have been suggested on nutrition, circulation, respiration, sweat, excretion, skin, regulation…

Suggests that snow ecology be added to the high school curriculum and center around winter abiotic factors and biotic components, winter survival, case studies, winter research and arctic ecology. (LS)

Analyzes middle school students' interests in biology to provide information on instructional strategies and curriculum development in Korea. Reports that the highest interest domains are genetics and microscope observations. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Intended to be used along with the "Teacher's Guide to Classroom Discussions for Biology" and the "Teacher's Guide to Laboratory Activities for Biology," this volume presents 43 laboratory exercises for introductory college-level biology. (CP)