The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate. With this set of lessons, middle school Earth systems science teachers can help their students build an understanding of how large bodies of water can serve as a heat source or sink at different times and how proximity to water moderates climate along the coast. The activity's combination of…

Describes activities in the "Earth Science Activities" book (available from the author). Activities range from simple to complex, with detailed instructions/information for the teacher to conduct the activity as is or with modification to meet individual class/student needs. Includes sample activity: "Ashfall in Washington-Courtesy of Mount St.…

Discusses earth science enrollments in grades 9 to 12 during the period 1960 to date. (SL)

Investigated the learning by eighth-grade students of the concept of crustal evolution, asking questions that deal with how time-efficient procedures can be devised that measure concept learning effectively and whether these procedures yield valid information on the learning of a science concept. (CS)

Presents developments in the teaching of earth science in Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Colombia. (GS)

Describes a summer program, funded by the National Science Foundation, focusing on environmental problems. (PEB)

This volume replaces and updates a prior publication (January 1973) of unpublished evaluation instruments in science education. The six chapters of the publication describe instruments classified into: (1) those assessing student achievement in knowledge and understanding of science facts, principles, and concepts (grouped according to science…

Examines the feasibility of using a time-series design intensively in a school situation. Investigates student attitudes toward a biology class using the operant single-subject design. Despite the developmental nature of this study, it demonstrates that the five-item semantic differential is a valid and easily used instrument. (Author/MA)

Students use aerial photographs in this investigation as they study erosion and deposition along a section of Lake Erie's coast and learn about how groins affect these processes. The teacher's guide presents an overview of the unit, a materials list, suggested instructional approaches, answers to discussion questions, and evaluation items. A…

Describes the purpose and possible uses of the new American Geological Institute/National Science Teachers Association Earth Science Examination. Provides an order blank for obtaining the test. Stresses that the test is specifically designed to test concepts and problem-solving ability. (CW)

The nature of schools and science education in Korea are summarized and the Ohio State program conducted for the Korean Ministry of Education is described. The program emphasized laboratory experiences and the development and evaluation of instructional activities. (KR)

Several studies of the validity of the intensive time-series design have revealed a post-intervention increase in the level of achievement data (the "momentum effect"). Reports on the development and use of a technique to study the effect as it is observed in several data sets on the learning of plate tectonics. (Author/JN)

Presented are the reasons why the earth sciences must play a major role in curriculum renovation. Philosophical, methodological, and conceptual contributions to K-12 curriculum content are discussed. (KR)

This document contains a student guide and a teacher guide on the topic of waves. The investigation includes three activities which lead students to an understanding of how waves are formed and how they move in water. Activity A introduces students to the parts of a wave. A demonstration using a stream table leads them to discover different…