Science Hunters is a UK outreach project that uses "Minecraft" (a computer game that allows children to build with a wide range of blocks) to engage children with science. Sessions are based on a range of science topics and include practical activities. A new topic, on bioluminescence, was designed in collaboration with staff and…

This article describes an integrated unit designed to teach second graders about the phases of the Moon. The science department at the author's school had been reshaping their curriculum to match their state standards as well as the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS"). Their primary goal was for students to be…

This exploratory study provides a deeper look into the aspects of students' experience from design-based learning (DBL) activities for fifth grade students. Using design-based research (DBR), this study was conducted on a series of science learning activities leveraging mobile phones with relevant applications and sensors. We observed 3 different…

Teachers in districts with high rates of poverty and low-achieving schools often lament the lack of resources for instruction. However, when a teacher in a third-grade inner-city classroom began a lesson about natural resources by saying, "We will find out what we know before we start," she used a precious resource--students' ideas.…

Fox Hill Primary School is part of a family of schools in Sheffield that is piloting the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Primary Specialism for Science. In parallel to this work, Fox Hill participated in the Smarter Schools project from September 2008-2009. This project, funded by the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust, was set up by the…

With the number of popular medical and forensics programs on television and many references in the media today, even elementary students can comfortably throw around terms such as "cells," "DNA," and "artificial products." However, their questions on these topics often go unanswered, or they are left with misinformation regarding these concepts.…

The author describes a comprehensive science program for the elementary school. The program should include six components: (1) The story of the great generalizing constructs of science, such as the atom, the universe, the layers of the earth, and evolution--even though the students do not have the observational evidence to support the constructs;…

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…

Science: Grade 5 provides the teacher with specific materials and suggestions for organizing effective learning experiences in the science area. It is based on the concept that learning occurs when the learner attempts to solve a problem which he finds meaningful. Both science knowledge and science processes are stressed. Significant findings from…

This Guide provides teacher resource information for working with the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) unit Position and Motion. This unit continues the teaching program on space-time relations with the introduction of the idea of the reference frame. Introductory material includes discussions of reference frames, measurement in…

Urges the use of the immediate environment of the school to serve as a focus and a medium to help plan activities and experiments in the different subject areas of science, and in the area of environment. (GA)

Describes an educational TV series, broadcast in Pennsylvania, called Science for the Seventies (SFTS), which presents science lessons for the elementary level. Each lesson consists of objectives, background information, an equipment list, and four or five related science activities. (MLH)

This curriculum plan is submitted as a framework for developing educational programs at the Columbus Zoo Aquarium (CZA) for elementary school students in grades 3 through 6. It is intended to provide support and assistance to those involved with CZA programs. Major sections include: (1) "Review of Columbus Zoo's Educational Programs";…

This publication is intended for use by curriculum and instruction persons, teachers, and administrators who wish to introduce the scientific method to elementary school students. Included in this work are objectives, methods, levels of instruction, open classroom activities, and evaluations of learning activities. All of the work is done with a…

A workshop exposed elementary teachers to activities from three contemporary elementary science programs. (MP)