Describes the rationale and activities developed and tested by the Biology Critical Thinking project (BCT). Presents the project guidelines for developing activities, a list of skills selected as goals of BCT, instruments used in determining effectiveness of the activities, results of the pilot study, and a sample activity involving vitamins. (MDH)

Presents lessons to stimulate children's interest in science and develop communication skills by having students simulate the locomotion of an ameba, a paramecium, and an Euglena, and the cyclosis in the pondweed Elodea. Students practice communication skills by demonstrating their organism to the remainder of the class. (MDH)

A range of alternative approaches to student work in science is presented. The approaches are illustrated by examples of students' work including cartoons, cards, poems, and posters. A number of audiences other than the teacher is identified as a potential focus for students' written work. (KR)

Input from constructivist scholars and science teachers helps develop future biologists and biology teachers who better understand scientific investigation through their development and use of investigative software, as well as through laboratory and field activities. (SM)

The abundance of life, the highly varied geologic formations, and climatic variations found in a wide range of deserts is presented. Misconceptions held about the desert are discussed. A list of resources and activities are included. (KR)

A technique for the numerical identification of bacteria using normalized likelihoods calculated from a probabilistic database is described, and the principles of the technique are explained. The listing of the computer program is included. Specimen results from the program, and examples of how they should be interpreted, are given. (KR)

Presented are activities in which students can observe dragonflies in their natural environment, capture them for examination, or make dragonfly models. Background information, directions for a field observation activity and making the models, and benefits of dragonfly study are included. (KR)

In August and September of 1989, 76 fourth year students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine took the objective structured clinical examinations. Analyses were conducted looking at the relationship of sequence to see whether scores showed a decrease in the afternoon. No significant effect of examinee fatigue was seen. (MLW)

Investigated is the extent to which students' nonscientific beliefs change by comparing before and after instruction as a function of students' reasoning skill. Nonscientific beliefs discussed include special creation, orthogenesis, the soul, nonreductionism, vitalism, teleology, and nonemergentism. (KR)

Describes using the course question: "How does chemistry (or biology) impact my personal life and society?" This course question is presented to students and forms the basis of the final exam. Students evaluate a current-events article using the question as a framework. Students explore the relationship between chemistry (or biology) and their…

Presents an interdisciplinary approach to introductory biology using a learning community model that addresses many of the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) and Sigma Xi's objectives in the teaching of introductory science courses. (PR)

Provides findings of a study designed to explore ways in which changes in students' conceptual knowledge of photosynthesis are related to their study strategies and achievement and to course content. The authors ask teachers to consider these results and implications when facilitating students' learning. (ZWH)

Provides guidelines for classroom discussions of bioethical issues. Equipped with an ethical reasoning model, teachers can help to prepare students to make responsible decisions about science-related issues. (ZWH)

Presents an activity that teaches children the language of the honeybee--and which transforms the classroom into a honeybee colony. Children mimic the foraging behavior of honeybees and learn to appreciate the importance of community effort among animals. (PR)

Describes an outreach program designed to expose high school students to cutting-edge science. High school students are provided with hands-on experience in molecular biology (polymerase chain reaction, restriction mapping, chromatography, gel electrophoresis, human DNA sequencing, etc.) and may have an opportunity to participate in the Human…