At the introductory level, the computer provides an effective alternative to using animals for laboratory teaching. Computer software can simulate the operation of multiple organ systems. Advantages of software include alteration of variables that are not easily changed in vivo, repeated interventions, and cost-effective hands-on student access.…

Evaluates the effectiveness of an interactive computer-assisted learning program for undergraduate students that simulates experiments performed using isolated, everted sacs of rat small intestine. The program is designed to offer an alternative student-centered approach to traditional laboratory-based practical classes. Knowledge gain of students…

Discusses strategies to make life science classes more fun by planning activities that include preserved and live specimens. Discusses field trips and collections. (JRH)

Presented are the abstracts from three research projects involving deep sea technology which were a part of a marine science symposium. Five sets of activities on deep sea science are included, one each for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12, and informal education. (CW)

Describes exercises designed to give students experience in using methods of naturalistic observation to quantify behavior. Students construct a coding system of the behaviors observed in a small mouse colony, gather data by instantaneous and focal animal sampling, and use the data to calculate interrater reliability and sequence analysis. (GEA)

Provided are lists of materials, procedures, questions, common animals possibly found, and techniques for use on a field trip. (CW)

Provides an annotated bibliography of the 39 best science and technology books from 1993 in the areas of animal life, astronomy, biography, chemistry, earth science, environmental sciences, evolution, mathematics, medical sciences, natural history, paleontology, philosophy of science, physics, psychology, general science, and technology. Ethical…

An ethnographic study of spontaneous conversations of elementary children and their accompanying adults during a zoo field trip was conducted. (LZ)

Art forms and materials can help students learn to organize and analyze content. The article presents several multicultural art activities that incorporate math, social studies, history, and language arts. The activities focus on animals, proportion, beauty in symmetry, self-portraits, nature, and paper. (SM)

Using a unit on earthworms, this article shows how science and language arts can be successfully integrated in a middle school classroom through hands-on observation, interviewing, and writing exercises. The integration process engages students, uses class time more efficiently, encourages dialog, and improves outcomes and appreciation of the…

Focuses on an extended learning experience with worms as the main topic in which students collect and organize information and choose an experimental question. Based on the constructivist theory of learning. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Discusses the lack of compassion in biology teachers for laboratory animals as well as their indifference to students' compassion for animals. Teachers see dissection as scientific method, whereas students may see it as cruel. If educators are repeatedly exposed to compassion for all life by students, they will eventually see the need for greater…

In an attempt to generate student enthusiasm on the subject of genetics, the author developed a Punnett square activity centered on the genetics of corn snakes to teach students about Mendelism and genetic diversity. As they began the activity, however, some unexpected twists occurred that allowed for investigation into corn snake anatomy and…

Changes are occurring within Brazilian institutes of higher education; currently several universities are reviewing their course offerings and teaching approaches to determine if they meet the needs of today's undergraduate students. When changes are made to the curriculum of experimental courses, there should be an understood guarantee that all…

One symptom of depression is loss of motivation, which can be defined as responsiveness to response-eliciting stimuli and quantified as reward-related behavioral output. Long-term changes in reward-related behavior have been shown to follow early life stress. Most rodent studies investigating the effects of postnatal separation, an early stress,…