Suggests simple ways to introduce students to the concept that the cell is the basic unit of structure of most organisms. Mentions materials for microscope study that are readily available and easy to handle, e.g., membranes from between the scales of the onion bulb, thin-leaved plants, pond water, and pollen. (JHZ)

Provides: (1) a historical look at people's relationship with the heavens and at how the science of astronomy developed; (2) four activities; and (3) two ready-to-copy pages with student exercises. Activities include objective(s), recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)

Presents: (1) a glossary with astronomy-related words; (2) a list of 25 questions about astronomy (with answers); and (3) a bibliography, listing children's books, reference books, audiovisual aids, posters, activity sources, software, and articles appearing in "Ranger Rick" magazine. (JN)

Presents ideas for collecting objects on the school grounds or in the surrounding neighborhood. Objects include feathers/fur, leaves, galls, seeds, shells, spiderwebs, and litter. Also presents procedures for making impressions of bark, leaves, fossils, flora, and shadows. All activities can be adopted for students in kindergarten through grade…

Nonsense botany, an easy, amusing way of learning the principle of nomenclature, involves using English words (in Latin constructions) to describe a make-believe plant; a drawing of the plant accompanies the pseudoscientific name. Suggests that students use this technique (developed by the nineteenth century British humorist Edward Lear) when…

Described are techniques and activities that seven different teachers are using in their chemistry programs. These programs were selected as winners of the 1983-84 Search for Excellence in Science Education. (DH)

Describes an innovative library which uses puppets, a pretend computer, stuffed animals, and science displays to appeal to children's interests and to create positive attitudes. (DST)

For the sake of grade school entrants in particular, nonexperimental science fair projects should be encouraged and accepted for science fairs. Support for this approach is given along with several suggestions for projects. Guidelines for judging nonexperimental projects are also included. (DH)

Students from 15 intact classes in grades 6 and 7 (N=142) from suburban schools in Perth, Australia, were used to investigate their time on task and achievement in process-oriented lessons. One finding noted is a positive relationship between achievement and student reasoning ability and engagement in planning and collecting tasks. (JN)

Points out the instructional applications and program possibilities of a unit on model rocketry. Describes the ways that microcomputers can assist in model rocket design and in problem calculations. Provides a descriptive listing of model rocket software for the Apple II microcomputer. (ML)

Offers a series of hands-on activities for introducing students to concepts of energy transfer and conversion. Describes how simple devices as marbles, ramps, and sliders can be used to gauge the transfer of energy and assist in the development of investigative skills. (ML)

Describes a demonstration of light pipes using low-cost materials, relating it to fiber optics communication. Also provides several experiments in hydrostatics and hydrodynamics using the materials for light pipe. (JM)

Discusses a low-cost apparatus for measuring moment of inertia utilizing an interval timer, induction coil, battery eliminator, and ball bearing mounted disk. Also provides a method for demonstrating vectors using a cardboard box and a piece of string. (JM)

Presents a novel approach to identification of unknown alcohols using experimental measurements of boiling point and viscosity which are easily obtained without expensive equipment of instrumentation. Provides instructions for preparing capillary viscometer, listing special hints for obtaining good results. (JM)

Explains the procedures used in a general botany course to obtain polarization, fluorescence, and dark field images using a standard student microscope. Provides sources for materials and references. (JM)