The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) delineate three interrelated dimensions that describe what students should know and how they should engage in science learning. These present significant challenges for assessment because traditional assessments may not be able to capture the ways in which students engage with content. Science…

This study investigated how the frequency and level of assistance provided to students interacted with prior knowledge to affect learning in the "Voyage to Galapagos" ("VTG") science inquiry-learning environment. "VTG" provides students with the opportunity to do simulated science field work in Galapagos as they…

Three examples of simulation exercises which require no special apparatus or materials are described. All are intended to be used with senior classes in secondary education but can be adapted for use with other groups. A list of requirements for setting up each simulation is appended. (Author/EB)

Presents science activities that mirror real life issues relating to plants and sustainability. Describes how to turn seed growing activities into an environmental simulation. Discusses the advantages of cross-curriculum learning opportunities. Includes student references and notes for teachers. (KHR)

Describes a computer program which enables students to carry out a simulated three stage mineral exploration program. (SL)

It is often difficult to engage students, especially younger students, in authentic scientific inquiry. By authentic, the author means that the classroom activities are both good simulations of scientific inquiry as experienced by professional scientists and something that the students can relate to on an intuitive level. However, by engaging…