Disguises a lesson about skulls with some fun to cause less fear among students. Outlines strategies, questions, and answers for use. Includes a skull mask which can be photocopied and distributed to students as a learning tool and a fun Halloween treat. Also shown is a picture of skull parts. (RT)

Describes a program designed for four-year olds to teach them about the human body. The learning activity employs a hands-on, discovery approach in which children construct models of their bodies, enabling them to learn how the various systems in the human body work and to appreciate the similarities and differences among people. (TJQ)

A cheap and simple model that can be made and used by pupils to study the human breathing mechanism is presented. A list of needed materials, procedures for construction, possible refinements, and method of use are included. (KR)

Calculation of cranial capacities for the means from 4 Mongoloid and 20 Caucasoid samples (raw data from 57,378 individuals in 1978) found larger brain size for Mongoloids, a finding discussed in evolutionary terms. The conclusion is disputed by L. Willerman but supported by J. P. Rushton. (SLD)

Human and electronic sensors that can indicate the presence of light, sound, temperature, pressure, and movement are discussed. Activities that investigate the human senses are described. Directions for making an electronic touch sensor are provided. (KR)

Describes the use and benefits of prosection--a dissection performed in advance and used by "nondissecting" students for detailed observation and study--in undergraduate laboratories. (PR)

Points out that the standard bell-jar model used to illustrate breathing has some features that may lead to a misunderstanding of the mechanism of ventilation. Proposes modifications to the model. (DDR)

Analyzes some of the comments offered by biology teachers concerning dissection in the classroom. Some teachers no longer do dissection, whereas others say that a number of students in every class want to dissect. Discusses problems noted in teachers' and other educators' attitudes as well as possible misinterpretations of students' attitudes by…

Educators at a symposium on dissection shared a variety of views on dissection through their personal experiences as educators and as students. For example, one was turned off to science because of dissection. Another mentioned the frivolous attitudes of students who are insensitive to animals. Another indicated that most people perceive their…

Recent research findings show that experiences alter the anatomical structure of the brain, that the effects of experience on the brain differ at different ages and between males and females, and that brain development is not complete until about age 18. (SV)

Describes a study of how much children know about the human skeleton and gives advice for teaching the topic more effectively. (Author/WRM)

We examined the psychological and physiological functioning of a community sample of children exposed to marital violence, comparing them to a clinical comparison group without marital violence exposure. Results replicated past findings of elevated levels of trauma symptomatology in this population. Further, children exposed to marital violence…

The authors' seventh-grade science curriculum includes a study of nutrition, anatomy, and physiology. Over several years, the authors' teaching partner and herself reworked the nine-week unit to include the Tour de France and the exploits of Lance Armstrong. What makes this unit so engaging for middle school students is that it provides an…

The hypothesis that independently of sex, brain volume (BV) and head circumference (HC) are positively and significantly associated with intellectual quotient (IQ) was examined in a sample of 96 high school graduates of high [Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults--Revised (WAIS-R) is greater than 120] and low IQ (WAIS-R is less than 100) (1:1),…

The less-complex central nervous system of many invertebrates make them attractive for not only the molecular analysis of the associative learning and memory, but also in determining how neural circuits are modified by learning to generate changes in behavior. The nudibranch mollusk "Hermissenda crassicornis" is a preparation that has contributed…