Presents instructional methods biology teachers can use to make their presentations more interesting. Author describes variety of methods for introducing lesson on the heart and discusses use of metaphors, form, models, and fractals in instruction pertaining to circulatory system. Presents idea of using Capon's "The Supper of the Lamb"…

Describes the use of a radio telescope to arouse new interest among students. The article partitions into the following sections: (1) Radio Astronomy--Which Level; (2) First Steps: The Site--The Antenna; (3) The Electronics: Do It Yourself, or Store Bought; (4) Field Test: Music of the Spheres; (5) Getting Started: Entry Level Projects; and (6)…

Describes a science project, Interactive Space Physics Ionosphere Radio Experiments (INSPIRE), that allows students to work with physicists to address unanswered questions about the physics of space. (ZWH)

Presents a method of calculating acceleration resulting from gravity using computer-controlled photogates. (ZWH)

A student project that investigated the relationship between resting heart beat frequency and body mass of adult dogs is described. The results are compared to those of other mammals and birds. The procedure and results are included. (KR)

Described are activities that allow students to identify stars, planets, nebulae, and another galaxy. Practical preparations for the field trip are included as well as directions for observing the moon, looking at constellations, measuring the sky, plotting the paths of shooting stars, and planet spotting. (KR)

Presented is a cooperative learning activity in which students assume different roles in an effort to produce a relief map of the ocean floor. Materials, procedures, definitions, student roles, and questions are discussed. A reproducible map for the activity is provided. (CW)

Discussed is the construction of a simple apparatus, the sky window, which can be used to investigate astronomy concepts. Activities using the sky window are suggested. (CW)

Ideas for the collection of hands-on science materials and their storage in sealable plastic bags are presented. The advantages of using this method of preplanning and prepackaging science lessons at the elementary level are explored. (CW)

An example of how a traditional activity on motion and acceleration can be adapted to the learning-cycle format is described. The three challenge statements given to students to solve are provided. The key learning-cycle steps of exploration, expansion, and extension are discussed. (KR)

A system of scoring food intake that can be used to encourage students to make more intelligent decisions regarding their diets is presented. A sampling of points assigned to a variety of foods, a copy of a typical student diet record, and an example on how to calculate scores are included. (KR)

Described is how an ordinary FM radio or television receiver can indicate when a meteor streaks overhead by receiving distant broadcast signals. Temperature inversions and the presence of ionized clouds can also be detected using receivers. Information on the troposphere and ionosphere and directions for the activity are included. (KR)

Information on how a shortwave radio can be used to make empirical observations about solar activity and the Earth's geomagnetic field is provided. How to interpret transmissions of shortwave propagation information, weather conditions, and highly accurate time signals from shortwave stations is discussed. (KR)

Author states that many students are intimidated and bored with information in science textbooks and describes an approach to make textbooks more familiar. Explains that the technical terms in textbooks are analogous to "characters" in a fictional story. The "plot" is determined by the headings and subheadings. Describes steps…

Describes activities where students explore electrical mystery boxes to learn about electricity. The electrical devices utilized are a bulb, a battery, a wire, a diode, and an LED. Students first explore the materials and then try to infer arrangements of these devices in sealed boxes. Describes the construction of the mystery boxes and classroom…