Even highly urban environments are settings for outdoor learning of local biodiversity, for they contain easily accessible street tree diversity that students walk pass daily. This study uses pre/post assessments and a tree observation curriculum grounded in scientific observation practice to understand the everyday and scientific tree observation…

This article investigates the biopolitical dimensions that have grown out of the union between biocapitalism and current science education reform in the US. Drawing on science and technology study theorists, I utilize the analytics of promissory valuation and salvationary discourses to understand how scientific literacy in the neo-Sputnik era has…

This study aimed to determine how 33 urban 5th grade students' science conceptions changed during a place-based inquiry unit on watersheds. Research on watershed and place-based education was used as a framework to guide the teaching of the unit as well as the research study. A teacher-researcher designed the curriculum, taught the unit and…

This article investigates the development of agency in science among low-income urban youth aged 10 to 14 as they participated in a voluntary year-round program on green energy technologies conducted at a local community club in a midwestern city. Focusing on how youth engaged a summer unit on understanding and modeling the relationship between…

This article describes a science education program in an urban ghetto school. (PD)

Examines several simple models of cities, discussing possible future changes in city design. The concepts of the megalopolis, linear city, tower block, imploded or miniaturized city, and dispersed city are described. (CS)

Summarizes results of European studies relating the health of occupants to their type of dwelling, with particular emphasis on those people living in high-rise apartment buildings in England. (CS)

The small coastal city of Rockland, Maine solved its pollution problems by building a treatment plant to handle the combined domestic and industrial wastewaters that were being discharged into Rockland Harbor. (BB)

Discusses the causes and problems associated with increasing levels of noise pollution in urban societies. Particular attention is given to noise emanating from aircraft and to possible means of reducing this problem and its resulting psychological stress and social strain. (JR)

Based on the assumption that even city dwellers have access to clumps of moss growing on buildings and on pavements, information concerning some of the inhabitants of these mosses and some aspects of the environment in which they live is presented. (PEB)

Describes a model for the future evolution of a stable ecosystem in a densely-populated society. Discusses designs for limiting population growth, resource-conserving settlements, and ways to feed growing cities. (MLH)

Suggests mural ecology as an alternative to studying other habitats, providing examples of zonation patterns, food webs, effects of physical factors, and influence of man on mural communities. Also suggests incorporating these topics into ecology courses, offering ideas for field work and comparing mural to traditional ecological studies.…

Recognizing the confines as well as the potentialities of the urban environment, science educators in some of the cities suggest various approaches to providing relevant, meaningful and challenging science programs for the urban youth. Programs in Omaha, Denver, Wilton, Oak Ridge, and Milwaukee are described. Bibliography. (LC)

Explores ideas about the causes and consequences of urban and rural air pollution of secondary school students aged 11-16 years (n=786) using a questionnaire. Students thought the air in towns and cities was more polluted than the air in the countryside. (Author/SAH)

Topics covered in the upcoming AAAS Annual Meeting on "Science and the Quality of Life" are outlined and briefly discussed. (DT)