The zonation of plants within a salt marsh environment is detailed via illustrations and scientific nomeclature for purposes of encouraging outdoor educators to use the salt marsh environment as a learning laboratory. (JC)

Discusses the principles behind holograms: the design and procedure to make either a reflection hologram or a transmission hologram, developing the hologram, safety precautions, and classroom applications. (JRH)

Provides a general description of chemiluminescence and distinguishes between the two types of chemistry that contribute to our understanding of chemiluminescence: fluorescence and the excitation process. Presents an activity that explores the phenomenon. (DDR)

Describes an activity in which students assume the roles of scientists living in the year 2,001,997 and make their own fossil record discoveries of animals that have undergone evolutionary changes since 1997. Students choose the animals as well as create the adaptations that have taken place. Includes a sample scoring rubric. (DKM)

Presents a project that allows students to observe and show how quickly pollutants in the air and on the ground destroy plant life. Appropriate for grades four through six. (JRH)

Describes a DNA fingerprinting simulation that uses vegetable food coloring and plastic food containers instead of DNA and expensive gel electrophoresis chambers. Allows students to decipher unknown combinations of dyes in a method similar to that used to decipher samples of DNA in DNA fingerprint techniques. (JRH)

Describes the use of recently constructed stormwater detention ponds to conduct a set of field and laboratory exercises in an undergraduate limnology course. Provides a number of logistical advantages that can benefit those teaching aquatic sciences. (JRH)

Presents an activity that uses holiday lights to help students internalize the concept that white light contains a combination of all the colors of the rainbow. (JRH)

Discusses strategies for and benefits of integrating music into science courses. (JRH)

Examines experiences of university students in an outreach program designed to teach science and foster positive attitudes toward science in younger children. Reports positive responses from teachers and children. Highlights the value of providing diverse and challenging experiences for children and the need for dialog and reflection on those…

Describes an activity that combines Mendel's Postulates with Morgan's Chromosome theory of inheritance. Students pair up the mother's and father's genes and learn how the genes line up with each other. Background information on the theories is provided and tips that can be used to aid student understanding are included. (DDR)

Compares the nature of student thinking in confirmation and open-inquiry laboratory activities. Reports that student thinking processes exhibited in confirmation laboratories emphasized procedures and techniques--making sense of and doing the laboratory, whereas student thinking in open-inquiry laboratories emphasized data analysis--making sense…

Discusses Mission Possible, a problem-solving strategy that provides a wide range of learning experiences and encourages students and teachers to explore the use of scientific ideas and principles. Describes setting up a Mission Possible Day for primary students in a rural community. (Author/NB)

Presents an Energy and Change unit developed to assist teaching and learning of why things happen. Uses a series of abstract diagrams that represent thermodynamic change to connect seemingly different situations. Diagrams are intelligible to students, scientifically consistent, useful to teachers, and integrate within science courses. (Author/NB)

Describes a twist on the egg-drop challenge activity for an 8th grade physical science unit. Students engage in active inquiry and explore the laws of physics, develop critical thinking skills, and practice problem-solving tasks. (NB)