Describes one individual's efforts to help support early science education by making presentations to children in elementary schools. Discusses the following aspects of the program: (1) getting started; (2) obtaining funding; (3) assessing students ability levels; and (4) deciding what hands-on experiences to give students. (MDH)

Presented is a list of over 50 commonly held misconceptions based on a literature review found in students and adults. The list covers earth science topics such as space, the lithosphere, the biosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the cryosphere. (KR)

Presents an overview of research on analogies in education conducted over the last 15 years. It includes metaphors in an analysis of the educational power of analogies. The role of analogies is analyzed from a constructivist position. (PR)

Discusses traditional school demonstrations and experiments in hydrotropism. Explains that these experiments seem to "prove" hydrotropism, but yet most botanists reject hydrotropism. Teachers continue to teach the concept because it is logical and the experiments are simple. (PR)

Describes how students can make and use Hooey Machines to learn how mechanical energy can be transferred from one object to another within a system. The Hooey Machine is made using a pencil, eight thumbtacks, one pushpin, tape, scissors, graph paper, and a plastic lid. (PR)

Describes an activity for studying weeds in grades four through nine. "Wanted" posters are prepared with the scientific name of a common weed and a few identifying features. Students find the plant, give it an "alias" or common name, and then draw the "wanted" picture. Presents six wanted posters and describes expansion lessons and follow-up…

A simple apparatus for studying various forms of the aurora borealis on a miniature scale can be constructed from a neon-storage flask, aluminum tape, a cardboard box, and a small piezoelectric ion gun of the type used to neutralize static charges on phonograph records. (PR)

Snow is a widely available earth-science teaching medium which can be used to explore scientific concepts in the field, either directly or by analogy. Snow can be considered a mineral, sediment, sedimentary rock, or metamorphic rock. Natural processes such as crystal growth, melting, sedimentation, and metamorphism can be studied in practical time…

Describes activities to help students see discontinuities as faults. Students collect data, manipulate data, and use the data to formulate explanations. Schematic diagrams help students with the conceptual component of thinking. (PR)

Science exhibitions presented by college students at local elementary schools foster goodwill in the community; give college students an opportunity to share their science as role models; provide elementary school children with a positive, enjoyable approach to science; and can be organized rather easily following guidelines that outline…

Describes the author's computer-based program for a subduction-zone-earthquake exercise. Instructions for conducting the activity and obtaining the program from the author are provided. Written in IBM QuickBasic. (PR)

From respondents to a questionnaire sent to a random sample of 654 Texas biology teachers, the following conclusions were made: 86% agreed evolution should be taught, 47% agreed it was a central theme in biology, 8% indicated that it conflicted with the Bible, and 7% noted there were more useful alternative theories explaining the history of the…

Presents the "mine to my home" concept (explore-mine-process-consume-recycle). Provides a large, color poster and many activities for teaching this concept. (PR)

Presents activities that utilize piezoelectric film to familiarize students with fundamental principles of electricity. Describes classroom projects involving chemical sensors, microbalances, microphones, switches, infrared sensors, and power generation. (MDH)

Describes how a small group of elementary school teachers and a principal used collaboration, inservice workshops, shared leadership and planning, peer coaching, and the informal sharing of ideas and materials to establish an effective hands-on science program. (PR)