Most people know what magnets do. Sometimes they stick together, sometimes they push apart and sometimes they don't do anything at all. But why do magnets act the way they do? Students will learn about the role of atoms in magnetism and why certain substances are magnetic while others are not. They will also discover some of the many ways…

Why does light behave the way it does? How does it travel from its source to the objects it illuminates and then to human eyes? Students will learn about waves, including the concepts of reflection, absorption, refraction and how light is related to the colors that can be seen. With a hands-on activity and real-life examples, these concepts are…

The world contains a limited number of elements--the purest form of matter. But when these elements are combined, the possibilities are limitless! Water, carbon dioxide and salt are just a few examples of how elements can be combined to form entirely new substances. Many of these combinations occur naturally, while others are man-made. Students…

For thousands of years, humans dreamed of flying--but it isn't as easy as birds make it look. Students will learn about lift, gravity, thrust and drag--the forces that are used to get tons of steel off the ground and carry people thousands of miles before landing safely. They will also discover the role atoms and air pressure play in this amazing…

This videotape recording shows students the many ways scientists look at the stars and how they can use what they see to answer questions such as What are stars made of?, How far away are they?, and How old are the stars? Students learn about the life span of stars and the various stages they pass through from protostar to main sequence star to…

This cooperative learning activity, for grades 7-12, promotes critical thinking skills within the context of learning about the causes and effects of climate change. Objectives include: (1) understanding factors that reduce greenhouse gases; (2) understanding the role of trees in reducing greenhouse gases; (3) identifying foods that produce…

This activity booklet is divided into two parts. Part One presents basic information about the electromagnetic spectrum and multiwavelength astronomy with an emphasis on X-ray astronomy. Part Two describes X-ray detectors at a more advanced level. An introduction to the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and its contributions to science is…

A common and frustrating problem for most teachers is that despite sincere attempts to meet the needs of all students, many students elect not to participate in classroom learning activities. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether one type of learning activity generates more participation among middle school science students,…

This book is based on an integrated approach to science and technology and targets middle schools students. Each unit includes a teacher's guide and eight science activities. Units include: (1) "The Mousetrap Car"; (2) "The CO2 Car"; and (3) "The Space Frame Vehicle". Supplemental materials consist of seven readings including: (1) "Brainstorming";…

This curriculum supplement guide brings the latest medical discoveries to classrooms. This module focuses on the objectives of introducing students to major concepts related to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and developing an understanding of the relationship between biomedical research and personal and public health. This module…

Using an interactive method to teach middle school students can address the needs of this diverse population. Electrofiles provide opportunities for students to be actively engaged in learning. Students can build content knowledge in electrical circuits by designing an electrofile or they can review other content area knowledge through a variety…

This study reports on the effects of a major reform initiative which was implemented in the Iowa City Community Schools District. The Science: Parents, Activities, and Literature (Science PALs) Project was launched in 1994 to reform the district's elementary science program. It was designed to increase teacher effectiveness by providing a…

What organisms have adapted to life in environments ranging from the ocean floor to desert sands, from frigid the tundra to the deepest, darkest jungle? None other than plants! From microscopic algae to the largest trees, millions of plant species have evolved in every habitat on the planet. In Plant Biodiversity, learn how plants developed in the…

Plants are vital to all other life on this planet - without them, there would be no food, shelter or oxygen. Luckily, over millions of years plants have developed many different features in order to survive and reproduce. In Plant Reproduction, students will discover that primitive mosses and algae are dependent upon water for their reproduction.…

Plants can survive in even the harshest of environments, from the freezing Arctic to the arid desert. In All About Plant Adaptation, join young plant lovers as they uncover some of the amazing ways that plants have adapted over millions of years enabling them to survive almost anywhere on Earth. Discover how some plants living in cold, arctic…