Discusses the use of analogies and other instructional strategies (problem solving, demonstration, group labs, and large group discussion) in dealing with students' preconceptions in physics. (PR)

Resources that are available for teachers presenting astronomy in the National Curriculum are listed. Included are societies and organizations, resource centers and places to visit, planetaria, telescopes and binoculars, planispheres, star charts, night sky diaries, equipment, audiovisual materials, computer software, books, and magazines. (KR)

Described is the V-scope which is a Micro-Based Laboratory system that provides direct and immediate displays of real motion as spatial images (stroboscopic snapshots), as time graphs of any combination of position, velocity, and acceleration, or as vector diagrams of velocity and acceleration. Illustrations of system components and of typical…

Discussed is the possibility that the salmon found in the Columbia River (Idaho) is an endangered species. A list of threatened or endangered animal species in the Pacific Northwest is included. Activities that deal with the topics of diversity, endangered species, and what is being done about them are provided. (KR)

A remedial biology course that employed six planned strategies to guide program activity is described. Team planning and team teaching, mastery learning, process skill emphasis, technology emphasis, positive reinforcement grading, attendance incentives, student achievement, student attitudes, parent attitudes, and implications are topics of…

A program for introducing beginning college biology majors to library resources is described. The scientific writing course, ineffective and effective writing assignments, and the response by students are discussed. Seven steps in tracking down a research article are included. (KR)

Two activities in which students use the human body to collect meaningful data that will be used symbolically in the form of sets of equations to search for patterns in nature are described. The mathematics and science concepts/skills, background information, objectives, lesson outline, and extensions are included. (KR)

Describes the use of the computer in the laboratory for data acquisition and analysis--specifically a method to measure the respiration rate in aquatic organisms. Demonstrates the use of computer-interfaced pH measurement in the introductory biology laboratory. (PR)

This study used a 2-by-4 factorial design crossing the amount of information about snakes with the level of involvement students had with live specimens to evaluate the effects of an intensive environmental education experience on the attitudes of fifth- through eighth-grade students (n=502) toward wildlife. (Contains 24 references.) (MDH)

Presents an exciting way to acquaint students with current methods to clean up oil spills. Students also have the freedom to create new clean-up methods as they think through the problem and experiment to find effective solutions. (PR)

This theme unit includes elementary-level language arts, math, science, art, and critical-thinking activities about gardening. A full-color poetry mini-poster and an idea for growing a special Mother's Day tea are also included. Students learn about different types of gardens as they grow their own plants, and develop a vocabulary of flower names.…

The S.M.I.L.E. (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Program is a partnership between Oregon State University and eight rural Oregon school districts to provide science and math opportunities for disadvantaged students. Students in this program work on a problem that involves them in a real-world environmental issue. Describes an…

Reviews the traditional definition of practical work in science, offers a different definition of it, and points out that practical work is not always laboratory based. Discusses the logistics of coordinating fieldwork. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Describes a two-week lesson on electric fields that combined lecture, interactive video, lab experimentation, computer spread sheets, and computer-assisted-graphing. (PR)

The purposes of this study were to (a) gain an understanding of the views of inquiry held by faculty members involved in undergraduate science teaching and (b) describe the challenges, constraints, and opportunities that they perceived in designing and teaching inquiry-based laboratories. Participants included 19 college professors, representing…