In this activity, students test whether the color of a material affects how much heat it absorbs. An ice cube is placed in a box made of colored paper (one box per color; white, yellow, red, and black) which is then placed in the sun. Students predict which color will melt the ice cube first and record the order and time required for the ice cubes…

This paper discusses strategies that can be used to realize interdisciplinary instruction at the secondary level and details a sample curriculum that employs themes related to human nutrition. The Secondary Level Interdisciplinary Curriculum is organized around five thematic units that present nutrition issues highly relevant to adolescents:…

This report describes a study that investigated the relationship between mental imagery and problem solving in physics, specifically in kinematics. A distinction is made between visual imagery and spatial imagery used in solving physics problems. The results of this study indicate that while spatial imagery may promote problem solving success, the…

This activity booklet is divided into two parts. Part One presents basic information about the electromagnetic spectrum and multiwavelength astronomy with an emphasis on X-ray astronomy. Part Two describes X-ray detectors at a more advanced level. An introduction to the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and its contributions to science is…

The information provided in this booklet is meant to give the necessary background information so that the science of black holes can be taught confidently to secondary students. The featured activities can be used to engage and excite students about the topic of black holes in different disciplines and in a number of ways. Activities include: (1)…

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "The Primates," including information…

This digest comments on various aspects of school science fairs. General expectations for science fair projects and participants are discussed, and tips for choosing a topic and completing a project are given. Organizational strategies for teachers charged with conducting science fairs are presented. Guidelines for parents in helping children with…

This student's edition of the "Manual of Experiments in Elementary Science" provides elementary science experiment outlines adapted for use with classes in the upper grammar grades, the junior high school, and the first and second years of the high school. The Manual can be used with any text dealing with beginning science, whether…

Discusses a lab experiment where rubber bands are used to determine a spring constant and to predict the range when the band is stretched and fired. Included are the formulas involved. (CC)

Describes an experiment in environmental chemistry which serves to determine the dissolved oxygen concentration in both fresh and saline water. Applications of the method at the undergraduate and secondary school levels are recommended. (CC)

Preparing the young generations for the inevitable and difficult decisions regarding alternatives in their quality of life, is the challenge for today's teachers. (Author/RY)