Examines the debate about how science should be re/presented in informal science settings, specifically the possibility of science centers and science museums addressing socio-scientific issues. Situates the debate within the current science education literature on the nature of science (NOS) and science, technology, society and environment (STSE)…

Discusses the merits of science learning centers as a tool for teachers to encourage positive interaction among students of different backgrounds and ability levels. Describes the success of science centers through work with children and preservice teachers. (Author/KHR)

A natural history museum is a building where animals, plants, minerals, and other things in nature are kept and exhibited for study. This document is a curriculum guide to provide a variety of activities for educators and their students to use not only when visiting the International Wildlife Museum (Tuscon, Arizona), but also with natural history…

The Philadelphia-Camden Informal Science Education Collaborative Family Learning Project (PISEC) is comprised of three phases aimed at increasing understanding of family learning in science museums. Describes the results of a formative evaluation conducted during phase two. Successful family-learning exhibits include characteristics such as:…

Describes the conversion of a school courtyard to a working outdoor classroom and its use in teaching students about different subjects, including agriculture, barnyard animals, ecology, biology, horticulture, archaeology, and astronomy. (JRH)

This document describes the Exploratorium Framework project which is a model initiative demonstrating the vital role science museums play in science education reform. Contents include: (1) "The Four Thematic Exhibit Experiments (An Overview)"; (2) "Themes (Looking at the World through Theme-Colored Glasses)"; (3) "Creating…

Explores programs at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Focuses on the museum's preschool program and the hands-on science facility. (DDR)

Describes "Challenge of Materials," a gallery where visitors can experience a wide variety of materials in different ways. Materials include familiar structural items such as steel and glass, and new materials that can change form and color. The gallery also provides opportunities for work with schools in materials science and…

Discusses the Youth Activity and Recreational Development (YARD) Center project, one school's efforts to return their school grounds to a more natural state in order to support integrated learning in a natural area, provide an environmental education workstation and writing laboratory, and have an aesthetically pleasing area for students and…

Describes a Physics Exploration Center, a space where students solve lecture-related homework problems in a hands-on facility. (CCM)

Activities in the ecology of New England's tidepools are provided in this field trip guide for elementary school teachers. Resources, curriculum materials, and services are identified that are available through the New England Aquarium's Department of Education. This packet contains: (1) pre-trip activities (offering a vocabulary list,…

Since only a few of the original landforms, streams, natural ecosystems, wild plants or animals still exist in our cities and suburbs, schools can help to fill this void by creating diverse learning environments around school buildings. Among the suggestions are a wet area, tall or short grass prairies, a boulder field, vegetable garden plots,…

Explanations of a marine mammal rescue program and information on seals and sea lions are presented in this curriculum package for intermediate grade teachers. Activities are highlighted which focus on the natural history of harbor seals. This unit contains: (1) pre-trip activities (including fact sheets and worksheets on the different types of…

Discusses the benefits as well as the concerns of changing traditional asphalt and turf grass grounds into educational resources. Benefits include an opportunity for hands-on learning, a softer and more creative area for play, a reduction in school ground violence among students, an ecologically improved landscape, and a reduction in maintenance…

The New England Aquarium Education Department offers a series of curriculum units and field trip guides for teachers of all grade levels on aquatic biology and ecology topics. Fish characteristics and behaviors are explained in this packet for secondary science teachers. Pre-trip materials include factsheets and worksheets on fish: (1)…