Presents some arguments for the importance of nature conservation which are intended for British science teachers. A study which investigates students' understanding of a concept is also included. (HM)

An activity in which children can learn the concept of the sizes of planets in comparison to the size of the earth is described. Activity questions are included. (SA)

Presents a discussion for the principles of a Fourier Transform infrared spectrophotometer which is intended to provide chemists with a basic understanding of these principles. (HM)

Catalysis is defined and discussed as the process relates to science history, chemical reactions, enzymes, industry, catalytic reactors, and catalyst preparation. (SA)

Discusses the laboratory portion of a beginning noncalculus physics course that uses concrete examples of abstract concepts. Describes the use of coffee cans to explain oscillations and plastic darts to illustrate collisions. (MLH)

Presents a study that analyzes an extensive database consisting of the written and oral discourse of students (N=23) as they described their thoughts on ontology, epistemology, and sociology of scientific knowledge. Contains 51 references. (DDR)

Presents a study comparing the understanding of the nature of science by preservice secondary science teachers in the mid-1960s and the early 1990s. Uses the Nature of Science Scale (NOSS) to determine teachers' understanding. Concludes with an evaluation of most items for which the responses changed dramatically in those 25 years. Contains 19…

Describes the use of a computer-linked camera to demonstrate Coulomb's law. Suggests a way of reducing the difficulties in presenting Coulomb's law by teaching the inverse square law of gravity and the inverse square law of electricity in the same unit. (AIM)

Presents a unit that focuses on landslides and integrates earth science, physics, chemistry, and math. Includes activities to investigate porosity, permeability, cohesion, saturation, and gravity. (JRH)

Reports research concerning the definition of variables by pupils ages 12 to 14 during investigative work. Findings suggest that an increase in the complexity of an investigation lowers the ability to identify relevant variables and substantive concepts intrude on the ability to define the appropriate dependent variable and to control variables.…

Presents an activity from the track and field unit of the Science of Sporting Events program in which teachers and students experiment with four broad jump techniques in order to determine which method will allow them to jump the farthest. Enables students to use a variety of math and science skills including observing, predicting, measuring, and…

Discusses effective ways of using children's journals in science teaching and methods for assessing children's journals for science learning. Emphasizes the importance of children's own cognitive and verbal efforts to make sense of science phenomena. (JRH)

Describes a program designed to educate and train selected teachers to utilize hands-on activities, provide inservice workshops for their colleagues, and function as resource persons within their school districts. Discusses participant selection, workshops, and final project overview and evaluation. Concludes that the stated goals of the project…

Presents activities that allow students to think about the Earth in a contextual manner and become familiar with constructive and destructive processes as they relate to sand - its origins, cyclical processes, and yielding of new products. Explores the bigger idea with a developmentally appropriate study of water, rocks, sand, physical phenomena,…

Discusses the benefits of using informative trade children's books in elementary science instruction. Presents an annotated bibliography of 15 trade books that have special features that should complement any active science curriculum. (AEF)