Describes the development and writing of hypotheticals (role-playing) by final-year education students based on local environmental issues that incorporated social, political, and economic elements. The activity enhanced students' communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills, responsibility for learning, and led to a greater knowledge…

Describes a simple emulsification test and germination test used to determine the cleaning power and toxicity of three different household cleaning agents. (MKR)

A number of less-usual approaches to work in biology education are discussed and illustrated. The approaches include a range of nontraditional writing activities, drawing, and model making. A rationale for such work is given and criticism leveled at these activities reviewed. Examples are drawn from the work of pupils aged 11 to 16 years.…

Provides a first-week activity in which student groups brainstorm and build cars to win a race. Includes rules, suggestions, time line, and evaluation methods. Notes that many misconceptions may arise from the activity but these are dealt with in the next few weeks of class. (MVL)

Presents examples of incorporating environmental issues into lesson plans to raise the level of students' environmental awareness. Topics include: ecology, taxonomy, biochemistry, energy reactions, cell structure and function, genetics and development, and human biology. (JRH)

Describes a seventh-grade science process skills test entitled, "In Hot Water." Students respond in writing to a hypothetical problem and then are provided with a model response. Students apply this model response in their performance of subsequent skills. The assessment can be used for individual or group work. (PR)

Describes how students' social skills can be assessed in the context of cooperative learning. Suggests that the following classroom protocols be assessed: (1) listen; (2) be responsible to others; (3) respect others; and (4) stay on task. Provides an assessment scale for these behaviors. (PR)

Explains the importance of culturally relevant assessment. Describes the use of concept mapping, cooperative learning, group assessment, journaling, oral interviews, and portfolios in multiethnic and multiracial student assessment. (PR)

Describes evaluation activities after a seven-week unit on botany and natural communities in a fifth-grade class. The six tasks designed for multiple learning styles include writing a topical essay, drawing and labeling plant parts, clinical interviews, group discussion, concept mapping, and evaluating questions. (PR)

Presents two experiments about ozone related topics. The first experiment examines the effect of sunlight on newsprint and relates this to human skin. The second demonstrates how chemicals, and specifically chlorofluorocarbons travel through the air. (MCO)

Describes a college course that provides a challenging learning experience in science based upon famous experiments and observations dating from the time of Aristotle to the present day. Presents information concerning (1) the course organization, structure, laboratory development, and expectations; (2) course content by quarter; (3) evaluation of…

Describes a project that addressed the challenge of promoting systemic change in science education through the use of instructional assessments. Instructional assessments integrate performance-based assessments with curriculum and instruction at the classroom level. Authors claim instructional assessment provides a promising lever for promoting…

Presents career exploration activities for middle school students to stimulate interest and provide information concerning career opportunities in the science field. The activities are cited as representative of an Earth systems education curriculum approach that includes career exploration as an important aspect of science education. (nine…

Provides information on nutritional caloric value determination. Describes the chemical components of peanuts. Explains how to construct a soda can calorimeter for determining the heat released by a burning nut. Describes how to determine calories and kilocalories. Author asserts the activity can be adopted for children of any age. (eight…

Describes a five-day summer workshop for rural elementary teachers to improve hands-on science instruction. Participants showed significant gains in science knowledge and science teaching confidence but showed no significant improvement in science teaching attitudes. Follow-up visits to schools revealed high usage of the activities and a positive…