This ERIC Digest is designed for teachers in grades K-12 to share a rationale for teaching about oceans and briefly introduce the kinds of resources available to assist with such efforts. Topics include: (1) Why teach about oceans?; (2) Where can I get resources for teaching about the ocean?; (3) Who is doing marine education in my area?; (4) What…

This digest explains how the study of watersheds can serve to connect concept and skill development across subject areas and grade levels for curriculum reform and standards-based assessment. Specific resources are organized into watersheds in the curriculum, connections to National Standards, watershed concepts and activities, watershed education…

American society and classrooms are culturally multifaceted. However, people of color are woefully underrepresented in many professions, particularly those related to the sciences and allied technical fields. An expanding gap, for example, continues to separate the degrees of participation in science programs and careers among European Americans…

Exotic species are organisms transported by humans, wildlife, wind, and water into regions where they did not historically exist. This ERIC Digest describes available materials and resources for teaching and learning about these exotic species. Sixteen Internet sources are provided along with six videotape resources. The digest also provides…

This ERIC Digest investigates the earth and space science guidelines of the National Science Education Standards. These guidelines are frequently referred to as the earth system and include components such as plate tectonics, the water cycle, and the carbon cycle. This Digest describes the development of earth systems science and earth systems…

In the information age of instant access to libraries, databases, information centers, organizations, government agencies, and self-appointed experts worldwide, it is hard to decide where to turn for accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information about science education. This digest provides an annotated listing of World Wide Web resources and…

There are three aspects to biodiversity: (1) genetic diversity within species that enables organisms to evolve and adapt to new conditions; (2) species diversity that refers to the number and kind of organisms distributed within an ecosystem; and (3) ecosystem diversity that refers to the variety of habitats and communities interacting in complex…

This digest identifies selected sources of materials for environmental education. Included are: the Educational Resources Information Center; the United States Environmental Protection Agency; the Public Broadcasting System; the National Wildlife Federation; and the National Science Teachers Association. References and reviews of print,…

Graduate students are often assigned teaching responsibilities as part of an assistantship, but most have had very little or no formal teaching experience. This digest summarizes some of the literature and resources available to support graduate assistants in their teaching roles. Sections include: (1) "Attention to How Students Learn";…

This digest comments on various aspects of school science fairs. General expectations for science fair projects and participants are discussed, and tips for choosing a topic and completing a project are given. Organizational strategies for teachers charged with conducting science fairs are presented. Guidelines for parents in helping children with…

This digest presents an overview of ways that parents can encourage their child's learning in science. National and state standards for science knowledge and skills are discussed. The importance of parental guidance and encouragement in all subjects--science in particular--is also discussed. Suggestions are made for setting a good example, helping…

This digest identifies selected sources of materials for science education. Included are: the Educational Resources Information Center; the American Association for the Advancement of Science; the National Science Resources Center; the National Science Teachers Association; and publications produced by the California State Department of Education.…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) released its first call for proposals for the National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education Digital Library (NSDL) program early in 2000. Building on work supported under the multi-agency Digital Libraries Initiative, this program aims to establish a national digital library that will…

This digest addresses the needs of homeschooling parents teaching science. National and state science standards documents are recommended for deciding what students need to know and should be able to do at different age levels. Sources of science lessons and activities are provided. Science reference materials such as books, magazines, and…

Skills in science (observing, inferring, measuring, communicating, classifying, predicting, controlling variables, interpreting data, and developing models) are not just essential for careers in science, but they are important for almost any career, as well as in daily life. This digest presents information on how parents can help develop their…