In recent science education, experimentation features ever more strongly as a method of inquiry in science classes rather than as a means to illustrate phenomena. Ideas and materials to teach inquiry abound. Yet, tools for assessing students' achievement in their processes of experimentation are lacking. The present study assumes a basal,…

Every high school graduate should be able to use data analysis and statistical reasoning to draw conclusions about the world. Two core statistical concepts for students to understand are the role of variability in measures and evaluating the effect of a variable. In the activity presented in this article, students investigate a scientific question…

An experimental approach to obtaining the reciprocal relationships involved in a study of lenses is introduced. Through an analysis of the data obtained for the combination of two lenses of different focal lengths one finds a formula for the combination in terms of the data for individual lenses by arguing by analogy. This procedure then suggests…

With the increased focus on both inquiry and 21st-century skills such as collaboration and problem-solving, teachers at all levels are looking for engaging ways to create more student-centered classrooms in which students can learn more than "just" science content. Discovering and developing creative science activities designed to accomplish…

In this paper we present an experimental strategy to measure the micro power dissipation due to Foucault "eddy" currents in a copper cylinder rolling on two parallel conductive rails in the presence of a magnetic field. Foucault power dissipation is obtained from kinematical measurements carried out by using a common PC webcam and video analysis…

Using an interactive map-based PDF, students learn key concepts related to biodiversity while developing data-analysis and critical-thinking skills. The Bird Island lesson provides students with experience in translating geospatial data into bar graphs, then interpreting these graphs to compare biodiversity across ecoregions on a fictional island.…

Presents the "Before Technology and After Technology" lab where students first complete a simple lab and graph the data by hand and then repeat the lab using graphing calculators. Enables students to see how technology can make data collecting, graphing, and analyzing more fun. (JRH)

Wondering how to make the study of the immune system and infectious agents more relevant to your students' lives? The online adventure series, Medical Mysteries, can provide the context and motivation. The series combines the drama of television's "CSI" episodes with science to address several of the National Science Education Content Standards.…

Presents research results on photosynthetic, carbon monoxide utilizing bacteria. Discusses applications of the research and offers three sets of experimental procedures and data that students analyze to determine which bacterium from a soil sample uses carbon monoxide fastest. (Contains 21 references.) (MDH)

Describes an experiment for plotting equipotential curves in which the normally used electrometer is replaced by a null-deflecting potentiometer, and in which the uniform resistance wire is substituted by carbon-impregnated conductive paper. Procedures and sample plot/results (including graphic analysis) are provided. (JM)

Describes an activity for helping students understand and use data tables. (PR)

Presents performance assessments, written by a team of Wisconsin science teachers, designed to see if students know, have practiced, and are able to perform the skills associated with science problem solving. (JRH)

Presents two experiments in which students examine the effects of touching and shaking on plant growth in common bush beans. (MDH)

Presents an activity in which students investigate the formation of solid ammonium chloride aerosol particles to help students better understand the concept of acid rain. Provides activity objectives, procedures, sample data, clean-up instructions, and questions and answers to help interpret the data. (MDH)

Provides background theory and an experiment relating to chemometrics. Describes the phenomenon where solutions are dichromatic or dichromic. Discusses the difficulty students have in describing such solutions that appear to be several different colors at the same time. (TW)