Presented is an approach to the study of nutrient cycling in the school laboratory. Discussed are obtaining, processing, and incubating samples; extraction of ions from soil; procedures for nitrate and ammonium analysis; data analysis; an example of results; and other aspects of the nitrogen cycle. (CW)

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education's Professor of the Year, Vicente Villa, is a first-generation college graduate who teaches biology at Southwestern University (California). He began his study of biology in college and provides an important role model for Hispanic-American students. (MSE)

Discusses searching from remote workstations by novice undergraduate users based on experiences at Furman University (South Carolina). Highlights include CD-ROM databases versus online searching, including costs; electronic resources at Furman University, including a special lab for biology and chemistry majors; front-end search aids; and software…

Relates the experience of students and a teacher in an alternative high school in designing a biology curriculum based on Foxfire practices. Describes student efforts to gain approval from school officials to study evolution and creationism and the conflicts in values and belief systems among the students. (LP)

Explains how a useful stereo image for overhead projection can be easily produced using technology available to most teachers. Red and green transparency films and red/green glasses are used to produce the three-dimensional view. (PR)

Identifies four programs meeting the criteria for being considered exemplary in biology education in grades 7 through 12 nationwide. Provides the selection criteria for program goals, curriculum, instruction, and staff. Expresses the concern that programs are not treating biology as a scientific process, nor addressing social and technological…

Describes a writing-across-the-curriculum course and its application to science courses. Shows how different kinds of writing instruction affect students' learning as well as students' attitudes, understandings, and approach to "writing to learn." (PR)

Describes a class activity where individual students ask the teacher "yes and no" questions to find the amount of force the bicep uses to lift a 1 kilogram mass. (PR)

Introductory biology courses for majors are often quite large. The use of peer graders can help instructors use essay exams in large classes without being overwhelmed and still treating students fairly. Describes the procedure used for peer evaluation and explains the advantages for both faculty and students. (Author/PVD)

Information technology is integrated into biology courses through various mechanisms. Electronic mail distribution lists are used to answer student questions outside of class. The World Wide Web is used for posting interactive course syllabi and student-generated data. Most students surveyed indicated that integrating the Internet and the Web into…

Details the use of a grant to enhance science education and the science curriculum through a series of workshops and a resource program. Describes the development of interdisciplinary units. (DDR)

Explores the changing nature of upper secondary school science subject enrollments over two decades. Discusses the fact that enrollments in chemistry, physics, and biology increased up until 1991 and declined from 1992-1995. (DDR)

Explores the intuitive understanding of biology that occurs in early childhood and discusses later cognitive changes that occur. Young children possess a vitalistic understanding (e.g. breathing brings power to the body) that becomes mechanistic (e.g. an understanding of the heart and lungs) as they mature. Includes statistical and tabular data.…

Discusses high school science and technology education and requirements for the job market and describes SciTeKS (Science Technology, Knowledge, and Skills), a standards-based, multimedia, modular high school program in chemistry, biology and the earth sciences designed by the American Chemical Society to introduce students to science technology…

Presents the results of an analysis of science-classroom lab talk which focuses on topics and manner of talk as an approach to understanding the social context of undergraduate lab work. Argues that lab instructors should pay attention to how "scientific" the lab talk is, and to sociability among students. Contains 32 references.…