Suggests outdoor activities that involve small groups of children in discoveries about grasses and weeds. Included are activities with dandelions, plantains, chickweed, clover and fescue. (CS)

Discusses the laboratory portion of a beginning noncalculus physics course that uses concrete examples of abstract concepts. Describes the use of coffee cans to explain oscillations and plastic darts to illustrate collisions. (MLH)

Presents teaching ideas for topics in aerospace education including: commemorating Robert Goddard Day on March 16th, commemorating Wright Brothers Day on December 17, utilizing newspaper clippings, and aerospace displays. Ideas are presented in notebook form for removal from the journal. (SL)

Describes construction of a model ecosystem using a 10-gallon aquarium with a sand, water and air interface. Pesticides are placed on sorghum plants grown on the terrestrial portion. After 30 days, movement of the pesticide is traced using radioisotope techniques, from terrestrial to aquatic organisms. Details for calculating concentration factors…

Describes a chemistry course with the goal of fostering a broader and deeper understanding of a few fundamental concepts through group discussion, instructor exposition, and participant-developed laboratory and demonstration activities. (DDR)

Describes a method that students can use to build portable planetariums. After building the models, students are familiar with the names of constellations and major stars and are able to share their projects with other students. (DDR)

Presents an activity that enables students to learn how to read a fertilizer label, to understand the components of fertilizers, and to compare natural and man-made fertilizers. Includes background information and student worksheets. (DDR)

Presents a science activity that enables students to carefully examine the root system of a plant and to understand that roots-specifically root hairs-are needed so that water and nutrients can be absorbed. Includes student data sheet and extension activities. (DDR)

Discusses circuits for three-bit and four-bit analogue digital converters and digital analogue converters. These circuits feature slow operating speeds that enable the circuitry to be used to demonstrate the mode of operation using oscilloscopes and signal generators. (DDR)

Describes an exhibition-based activity set that teaches important psychological processes such as attention (Interference), communication (Pattern Talk), and cooperation versus competition (Do Nice Guys Finish Last?). Activities follow the scientific method, and teachers can observe varying levels of skill and cognitive development in students of…

Introduces the National Science Education Standards and suggests that the Standards be used as a mechanism for bridging formal and informal science education. Based on a review of the educational effectiveness of science museums, specific science content from the Standards is outlined as potentially useful in informal settings for increasing…

Argues that assessment should be an integral component of the science curriculum and that assessment should assist students and teachers in accomplishing their goals. Points out the failures of the process-product models of school reform. (DDR)

Presents activities on persistence of vision that involve students in a hands-on approach to the study of early methods of creating motion pictures. Students construct flip books, a Zoetrope, and an early movie machine. (DDR)

Describes the use of a computer-linked camera to demonstrate Coulomb's law. Suggests a way of reducing the difficulties in presenting Coulomb's law by teaching the inverse square law of gravity and the inverse square law of electricity in the same unit. (AIM)

Provides details on the chemical composition of trees including a definition of wood. Also includes an activity on anthocyanins as well as a discussion of the resistance of wood to solvents and chemicals. Lists interesting products from trees. (DDR)