Provides rich description of the biological diversity found in a 30-mile section of Nebraska known as the "biological crossroads." Argues that the seven major associations of the Niobrara River valley provide a great classroom. Includes a complete listing of plant species. (DDR)

Presents a series of laboratory exercises designed to introduce students to a realistic experience in biological research that is feasible with large numbers of beginning biology majors. The exercises center on the study of alkaline phosphatase. (DDR)

Describes an exercise whereby a biology class used a stairway to illustrate how fossiliferous rock strata were deposited, the oldest on the bottom and most recent at the top. Each step represents a dated boundary between adjacent geological ages, and each riser is labeled as a geological unit. Geological time is compressed to 365 days. Offers…

Reports on the implementation of an extracurricular course for fifth-grade students that focuses on the structure and function of animals. Students participate in direct observation of animals, watching videotapes, group discussion, and building kits and games. (DDR)

Reports on a project in which children develop instructional technology skills while learning a great deal of science. Explains how children construct a multimedia presentation on the topic of invertebrates. (DDR)

The relationships between teacher characteristics and classroom environment, student achievement, and student attitude in high school biology classes were studied in an ex post facto design involving 11 teachers and 375 biology students in Nigeria. Significant positive relationships were found between teacher experience, teacher locality, and…

Reports on Project 1 from the Evidence-based Practice in Science Education (EPSE) Research Network. In this project, a group of teachers develop banks of diagnostic questions in four science topic areas: electric circuits, force and motion, matter and chemical change, and biochemical life processes. (DDR)

Describes the 2002 summer institute of the Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center (ATEEC), a National Science Foundation ATE Center located at the Iowa Community College District. Discusses the institute's focus on Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases, stressing that community colleges must update their curricula to ensure…

Describes a college course enhanced by hands-on science applications and a service-learning project. Requires registered students to participate in volunteer training at a nature center and offers certification in several environmental education curricula. Reports successful outcomes with regard to conceptual development and teaching experiences.…

Reports on a study in which readers from eight countries evaluated and annotated the same three Discussion sections written in English by Dutch biologists. Discusses the nonnative competence in English, mother tongue interference, and non-anglophone tense conventions for reporting past events. Readers' responses to the preponderance of present…

Describes the design and implementation of an activity to teach electrocommunication in animals using scientific inquiry and engineering design to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions in understanding electrocommunication in electric fish; develop explanations of natural phenomena as a creative process; and help understand that…

Evaluates a collaborative program in which high achieving biology students participate in genetics research under the guidance and supervision of a geneticist. Reviews the impact of their participation on college and career choices as well as understanding of science methodology, genetics, agricultural science, and product development. (SOE)

Studied adolescent reproductive health services in two Nigerian states. Found that adolescents use health facilities mostly for general health problems. Only 6.1% (south) and 31.8% (north) of cases involved reproductive health, the gap attributable to maternity cases of northern married women. Reproductive health problems such as abortion and…

Describes a study that compares the achievement of biology students (N=48) under the conditions of self-regulation and a traditional approach. Concludes that higher measures of reported self-regulation were significantly associated with higher academic performance scores. Contains 22 references. (DDR)

Describes a study that examined changes in the structural complexity of knowledge held by two groups of introductory college-level biology students (N=68, N=93). The subjects constructed concept maps at four-week intervals throughout the instructional term. Contains 49 references. (DDR)