Describes science activities for preschool through primary-grade children, focusing on goals of science education, science processes, and characteristics of high-quality science activities. Notes that hands-on activities explore scientific concepts such as volume, gravity, heat conductivity, and condensation. (KB)

Presents science activities using material available in cafeterias. The quick activities entice students to investigate further the concepts introduced and also illustrate that common materials can behave in surprising ways. In addition, they make excellent at-home science experiments. (PR)

Bestows diagrams to describe common transformation methods and applications of these methods in biotechnology today. (ZWH)

Describes an experiment that uses the cobra lily (Darlingtonia californica) and fruit flies (Drosophila virilis) to investigate predator-prey relationships in a classroom laboratory. Suggestions for classroom extension of this experimental system are provided. (ZWH)

Uses diagrams to aid in discussing how the English map of the human chromosomes, published by Offner in 1993, can be used to illustrate some important questions in evolution, as well as give students a glimpse into some of the mechanisms underlying evolutionary change. (ZWH)

Uses diagrams to aid in discussing how the English map of the human chromosomes, published by Offner in 1993, can be used to illustrate some important questions in evolution, as well as give students a glimpse into some of the mechanisms underlying evolutionary change. (ZWH)

Posner's theory of conceptual change forms the background for this study which focuses upon conceptual ecology, specifically upon the heuristics children appear to employ in sense-making. The study focuses upon two children who demonstrate remarkably different sense-making heuristics; a recognizably scientific one and one that involves the…

Presents information on biodiversity and explains why biodiversity is important. Describes threats to extinction of organisms and the potential negative impact of such extinctions. (PR)

Assesses the understanding that a sample of Oregon public school students (n=159) had of geology, physical and chemical characteristics, ecology, and natural resources as related to a marine environment. Results indicate that student understanding in some areas does not progress beyond the early grades and that the interdisciplinary approach of…

Describes an alternative assessment approach to measure the knowledge and skills of students at the end of a hands-on, process-, and concept-oriented science program. Four segments of the evaluation are: general knowledge, laboratory skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and teacher-specific assessments. Emphasizes retention of…

Presents an activity in which students attempt to keep water at a constant temperature. Helps students in grades three to six hone their skills in prediction, observation, measurement, data collection, graphing, data analysis, and communication. (JRH)

Describes ways to incorporate science into events that typically happen during the school year, including the school carnival, school assemblies, open house, book fair, sports events, newsletters, field trips, schoolyard cleanup, career days, and parent-teacher conferences. Presents tips to encourage parents to support an improved science program…

Describes a lab involving a cloud formation activity that uses the constructivist learning model to get students more involved in creating the lab. Enables students to develop a greater understanding of the concepts involved and more interest in the lab's outcomes. (JRH)

Investigates reasoning strategies students use in solving stoichiometric problems and explores the relation between these strategies and alternative conceptions, prior knowledge, and cognitive variables. Results show how stoichiometric relations produce conflicting situations for students leading to conceptual misunderstanding of certain concepts.…

Incorporates dramatization into science teaching to explain difficult phenomena. Uses three different types of dramatization: teacher-performed dramatization, teacher-directed dramatization, and student-directed dramatization. Presents student analyses of the dramatizations. Introduces an instrument that is designed to measure student perceptions…