Participating in the Disney Planet Challenge (DPC) program allowed this author's 22 fourth-grade students an opportunity to be involved in a real-world problem: how to protect a threatened species and become its advocate. Using many different technology tools, the students informed their community about a threatened species--the Blanding's…

"Watch out, the stove will burn you," "Ooh, ice cream headache!" Students construct their conceptions about heat and temperature through their own intuitions about daily life experiences. As a result, misconceptions can be born from these constructed concepts. The activity described here addresses student misconceptions about thermal insulation…

This lesson combines the science concepts of renewable energy and producing electricity with the technology concepts of design, constraints, and technology's impact on the environment. Over five class periods, sixth-grade students "work" for a fictitious power company as they research wind as an alternative energy source and design and test a…

Modern man pays a price, pollution, with the dependency shift from humans as converters of energy for work to machines as converters of energy. Emphasis is placed on electromechanical appliances and their respective power ratings. (EB)

Introduces the science activity project, "Find Out Why", which targets eight- and nine-year-old children and their parents. Includes two sample activities. (YDS)

Each of these outstanding selections defies the traditional image of a child "curling up with a good book." Yes, they can be a source of great personal reading, encouraging students of all ages to stretch their skills and their imagination as they interact with the printed page. But these journeys of the scientific imagination seldom end with the…

Describes the development of the practice of medicine including dentistry in America. (LS)

Presents the highlights of National Science & Technology Week '97 which focus on different kinds of communications and communications technologies. Describes the activity packets that are part of the celebration and include innovative, hands-on teaching activities in science, mathematics, and technology. Presents suggestions for school…

Lists a selection of trade books written in Spanish for young readers. Books are categorized under the headings For the Very Young, Biology, Ecology, General Science, Physical Science, and Technology. (YDS)

Presents an activity that explores the operation of Maglev trains. Demonstrates that elementary students can master cutting-edge technology through creating and racing magnetic vehicles on a specially designed track, researching the history of rail transportation, and exploring a current science issue. (NB)

Criticism is offered concerning the biases of exhibits in science and technology centers provided by industries. Some are said to promote the activities of the industry and ignore the chance to challenge visitors by presenting balanced information. (SA)

Provides a list of outstanding science trade books in Spanish for elementary and secondary students. (YDS)

Introduces the Geographic Information System (GIS) and its applications in interdisciplinary teaching approaches. Specifically focuses on natural resource management. Explains the data collection process of GIS and areas in which this technology is used. Makes recommendations for the classroom use of GIS. (YDS)