Discusses strategies that enable students to learn ideas and concepts in the context of how modern communication technology is designed and operates. Describes a course that integrates the study of math, science, and technology into topics that are engaging to students. Presents an activity that introduces students to digital coding and compares…

Describes the learning cycle and some strategies that teachers can use in their classrooms to make the transition to the learning cycle less stressful. Includes tips on how teachers can effectively change roles during an activity and how they can alter laboratory formats to enhance student learning. (DDR)

Presents a week-long unit of study that covers the concepts of acid base chemistry and involves students in a context in which that information is relevant. In this activity, students build a model swimming pool and must maintain the chemistry of their pool at safe levels. (DDR)

Describes a design for a hand-held conductivity tester powered by a 9V battery that gives semi-quantitative results for aqueous electrolyte solutions of concentrations ranging from 0.001 M to 0.1 M. The tester uses a bar-graph LED driven by an LM3914 integrated circuit to indicate the level of conductivity. A list of parts, procedures, and results…

Presents a complete set of laboratory experiences on density. Includes establishing a density table, identifying an unknown, determining the density of irregular solids, and expanding the density table. Activities can be augmented with discussions about other applications. (DDR)

Describes a curriculum designed around a series of investigative, macroscopic problems that enable students to learn the big picture of modern biology for themselves. Presents a hands-on investigative activity that gives students an accurate, easily grasped analogy for DNA expression. (JRH)

Discusses watersheds and floods. Includes an insert that provides a visual example of many different watersheds, illustrates a flood and different ways that flood plains are developed, and contains activities designed to assist students in learning about watersheds and floods. Lists water resources available on the World Wide Web. (JRH)

Presents a strategy for teaching students about electricity. Uses concrete activities to enlighten students about electron flow, resistance across a wire, and uses of electrical power. (JRH)

Contains instructions and two patterns for making a terrestrial globe and a tectonic globe. The pattern is designed to be glued onto a tennis ball. By constructing the globes, students obtain a greater understanding of the locations of the edges of continents and the earth's plates. (AIM)

Provides activities that explore the concept of solubility using correction fluid. Topics include oil versus water solubility and whole milk versus fat-free milk. (DDR)

Describes some inquiry-based labs in which students identify starch in popped popcorn, then determine whether starch is present in the kernels prior to them being cooked. Students distinguish monocot and dicot stems as well as determining whether boiling kills tissues in seeds that have been soaked in water. (DDR)

Characterizes students' understanding of the rock cycle system. Examines effects of a knowledge integration activity on their system thinking. Interprets answers to an open-ended test using a systems thinking continuum ranging from a completely static view of the system to an understanding of the system's cyclic nature. Reports meaningful…

Describes the implementation of a new laboratory-based, interdisciplinary undergraduate course on linear dynamical systems. Focuses on geometrical methods and data visualization techniques. (Contains 20 references.) (Author/YDS)

Reviews the work of Lynn Dierking and John Falk on museum learning. Presents a contextual model for understanding museum experiences and learning. (DDR)

Describes organizing a science day which includes having a statement of purpose, the organization of the day, details about the activities, and specific outcomes for the day. Recommends varying the activities for different levels. (DDR)