Presents a way for teachers to capitalize on children's intrinsic fascination with big things by measuring the world's largest living plants--trees. Students develop an appreciation of nature, work together cooperatively, and practice science process skills. Outlines the procedure and equipment including pencils, metersticks, and string. (NB)

A trip to the zoo can be a terrific way for young children to learn about animals, especially using planned learning experiences. Presents some activities for use before, during, and after a trip to the zoo. (NB)

Explores the basic physics behind pulling a tablecloth out from under a set of dishes, glassware, and utensils without disturbing them. Discusses terminology of Newton's laws of motion and illustrates them using three simple examples. (NB)

Presents an activity to teach buoyancy. The lab determines what mass of sand can be added to the open end of hollow plastic containers of various shapes so that objects just float at the surface, without sinking, with their entire volume submerged. Discusses Archimedes' principle and aligns with current national science education standards.…

Presents an activity in which students in groups explore one planet in the solar system and present their findings to the whole class. Focuses on the planet's location in the solar system, geological features, rate of revolutions, and calendar year. (YDS)

Demonstrates acid rain falling into lakes using vinegar and explores the effects on different types of solids such as chalk, sand, and lime. Includes instructor information and student worksheets. (YDS)

Describes an activity on density and its role on an object's floating or sinking. Uses canned regular and diet Coke soda pop to demonstrate differences in density. (YDS)

Introduces a functional model of sound transmission through solids and gases. Describes procedures of an activity to model how sound travels faster through solid materials than gases. Use dominoes to represent the particles of solids and gases. (KHR)

Reports on the use of a garden design process as a means of building children's understandings of and connections with their garden and for fostering ecoliteracy. (Author/MM)

Presents an activity for students to construct their own two-cup balances. Suggests some alternatives for rejuvenating weak bar magnets. Describes how to remove burnt carbon deposits from glass vessels. (NB)

Suggests using science trade books to help children make personal connections to science content. Integrating such literature into the science curriculum in an appropriate manner can help students make a direct connection with science. Presents a list of books with a multicultural emphasis that can be used as a springboard for science activities.…

Explores acids and bases using different indicators, such as turmeric, purple grape juice, and lichens. Because some of these indicators are not as sensitive as cabbage juice or litmus paper, determining to which acids and bases each indicator is sensitive presents an enjoyable, problem-solving challenge for students. Presents directions for…

Discusses the application of petroleum technology and presents activities designed to raise students' awareness of the importance of petroleum-based products in their lives. Includes a handout designed to help students understand the refining processes in which the crude oil from the drill site is transformed into nearly 6,000 petroleum-based…

Describes a program in which students present their displays in the normal science-fair style but without the competitive element and more as a "science-share". Describes an "energy day" celebration which included an energy exhibition and engaged students in an "energy decathlon" that challenged them with tasks encompassing many aspects of energy.…

Presents methods for growing crystals in the classroom. Includes alum crystals, salt crystals, and sugar crystals. (JRH)