Grade 10 students (n=1,564) perceptions of classroom practices and activities, as well as their attitudes toward science teaching and school science, were assessed in British Columbia. Major findings were that students do not appreciate the most prevailing contemporary practices in science classes and that they prefer science teaching and learning…

Presents an integrated schoolwide program in which students learn about pet care and the behaviors of 14 unusual animals. Each participating teacher sets up one animal center describing the animal and the animal's habitat. Centers change at the end of each month. Discusses costs and learning benefits of the program. (MDH)

Describes a class project to determine which environmental condition, such as light, heat, and type of basking substrate, would result in the least and most turtle basking behavior. (PR)

Describes how students in grades 2-8 can make beakers from quart-sized oil containers and calibrate them in milliliters. In an second activity, students estimate the volume of water in four jars and use their beakers to measure the water in each. The estimates are compared to the true measurements. (PR)

Describes a simulation of chemical reactions to help students understand factors that affect the rates of chemical reactions. (PR)

Presents an interdisciplinary instructional unit focusing on the Mayan Civilization. Describes the use of interactive story telling and guided imagery to heighten student interest and involvement. Provides suggestions for using these methods to teach about other countries or civilizations. (CFR)

Describes a study that reports on the changes from 1983 to 1989 in computer availability and usage in Minnesota science classes in grades 7 through 12. The opinions of computer use held by principals and science teachers are examined, and changes in perceptions are discussed. (nine references) (LRW)

Describes the use of interactive videodiscs in middle schools and high schools for science and math instruction. Topics discussed include establishing multimedia workstations; positive student attitudes; combining computer software and videodiscs; decreases in failure rates; positive motivation; pacing for individual needs; and effective time…

Describes software that was designed in the United Kingdom to promote conceptual change in secondary school students studying mechanics. Direct Manipulation of Mechanical Microworlds, an interactive computer simulation, and VARILAB, a computer-based language for modelling systems, are explained; and two studies that will evaluate the effectiveness…

Listed with examples are six levels of thinking. The design of lessons to teach higher order thinking is discussed. A sample lesson on spontaneous generation which uses this method is provided. (CW)

The improvement in student attitudes as the result of the use of videomicroscopy in the science classroom at the elementary, secondary, and college levels is discussed. The results of published research studies are reviewed. (CW)

The demonstrations presented in this article relate to everyday life, address interdisciplinary aspects, and have implications for the life sciences. Topics of the demonstrations are electricity calculations, astronomy, electrolysis of water, ester synthesis from butyric acid and pentanol, catalysis, and minerals. (PR)

Presents samples of educational material adapted for laboratory use on the subject of the pH scale, dilution skills, and their relevance to biology. The experiments were developed for use in both ninth-grade heterogeneous and tracked classes in biology. Students were assessed for academic achievement in relation to their operational reasoning…

Presents methods and questions for discussion, activities, role plays, and assessment methods for helping students understand the importance of water conservation. (PR)

Proposes that science students keep thinking journals of their reading of their science textbooks as a method of increasing students' critical thinking skills. Discusses strategies to initiate the practice, effective use of time, sample student entries, and the use of class discussions to process the writing. (MDH)