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

Field trips to museums can enrich education, though teachers and parents must guide children's explorations and help them connect their previously gained knowledge with new information from the exhibits. The article describes a study of children in museums, discussing the findings and making suggestions for enhancing museum experiences. (SM)

Describes a qualitative study in which eight elementary school teachers read research articles in children's science and were interviewed. Results fall in three categories: comments relating to the teachers' need to verify the findings of research reports, expressions of self-doubts and questions raised as teachers read the articles, and…

The conventional wisdom on how tomorrow's scientists are identified and trained in elementary and secondary schools is being questioned. The importance and reasons behind encouraging students to stay in science and mathematics are emphasized. (KR)

Provides six library media activities to be used in connection with curriculum units in career education, mathematics, physical education, reading/language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade level, resources, instructional roles, activities and procedures for completion, evaluation, and…

The article presents a Native American tale about the moon that teachers can use to open the door to scientific exploration. After discussing facts about the moon, the article offers a reproducible Navajo story and several follow-up hands-on activities designed to pique students' interest. (SM)

Describes a study of second graders that was conducted to investigate the use of microcomputer-based software to teach line graph production and interpretation. Abstract concepts between time and distance relationships are discussed, and transfer of skills to other types of graphs on paper are examined. (LRW)

Information is provided on the use and misuse of drift nets used internationally in the Pacific Ocean. An activity in which students acquire some understanding of the history of fishing and the effects of modern technologies on fish populations is included. (KR)

An activity is presented that incorporates the signals, affinities, actions, qualities, and unity of nature. Students are led through the activity and are asked to sense, enjoy, validate, match, resonate, appreciate and honor, trust, and celebrate a particular nature area. (KR)

Explored how elementary school children (n=267) "think" about science vocabulary through an examination of the organizational schemes children employ with science words. A common core of vocabulary was developed from textbooks. Students grouped the words and gave the group a name. One result indicated students had appropriate conceptual…

This study (n=192) examined the use of analogical instruction to overcome misconceptions about conservation of matter. Students who understood the concept conservation of matter when iodine was evaporated were able to transfer their understanding to the evaporation of acetone. This indicates that teaching by analogy can be an effective tool in…

Examines changes in elementary science teachers' education, noting the fragmented status of school science. Few elementary teachers have strong academic backgrounds in science or fundamental knowledge of elementary science program content. Understanding preservice teachers' alternative conceptions and misconceptions about the nature of science is…

This problem-solving activity book offers tools for attacking problems in the classroom and beyond (a reproducible card set explaining problem-solving skills, a math problem-solving grid, problem-solving lessons in science, language arts, and social studies, and a poster following scientists as they fight to reclaim an endangered species). (SM)

The idea of assessment driving the curriculum and the importance of assessing students constantly instead of using only standardized tests are discussed. Informal observations used by teachers as a way of assessing student progress is emphasized. The United Kingdom's National Curriculum assessment program are described. (KR)

Discussed is a program that awards money to institutions that want to develop teacher training programs with national significance. Information on how the funds can be used and how the funds are distributed is included. (KR)