In this article, the author describes a chemistry gas experiment that she developed with the intent of integrating inquiry and Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The lab activity follows the principles of Ambitious Science Teaching (AST). Teachers (1) engage students with important science ideas, (2) elicit students' ideas while making visible what…

Improving the interest of high-school students towards chemistry (and science in general) is one of the goals of the Italian Ministry of Education. To this aim, we designed a context-based activity that actively involved students in six different laboratory experiences interconnected by a case study of the murder of Miss Scarlet, from the famous…

We present a hands-on, inquiry-based activity exploring how CO[subscript 2] input to seawater affects the skeletons of several species of reef-building corals and other marine organisms by testing for changes in pH and calcium ion concentrations. Originally developed to inspire and recruit high school students in the state of Hawai'i into the…

For curriculum content-related reasons, inquiry activities can be difficult in classrooms unless the activities are approached in a manner that makes variations among student group findings understandable in the context of the study. Studies of individual animals and plant reactions to stimuli, such as insect exploratory behavior, allow the…

Educators seeking support for continuation of science laboratory instruction can find information in the ERIC data base. Sections cover: (1) what's available; (2) beliefs about the role of laboratories; (3) what critics say; and (4) research evidence. (MP)

Twelve science activities involving the common paper food bag and the small plastic food bag are described. (DT)

Methods are described for the induction and identification of respiratory deficient mutants in yeast. Practical schemes are given to enable students to obtain dose-response information for physical and chemical mutagens such as heat, ultraviolet light, or acriflavine. A simple test for environmental mutagens is described. (Author/MA)

Directions are given for the construction of a manometer to measure animal metabolism. Steps in an experiment to measure frog metabolism are specified. (DT)

Described are the morphology, eating habits, and habitats of three types of Bryozoan colonies. Information on where to collect these organisms and how they can be cultured are included. Suggestions are given for lab experiments that can be done with type three colonies and Euglena. (MA)

A joint business-chemistry course which focuses on consumer testing is described. Guidelines for organizing the students into testing teams and suggested laboratory experiments are included. (DT)

This resource guide provides information for 13 laboratory experiments designed to be conducted in small schools with limited equipment and materials. For each experiment, the document outlines necessary equipment and materials, experiment procedures, and questions to be answered. The experiments are: (1) studying the properties of water; (2)…

This second volume in the Topics for Teachers series provides a wide range of activities designed to be both useful for teachers and informative for students. The investigations contained in this document are representative of some of the embodiments of important mathematical principles in the physical world. The activities included were chosen…