A study was conducted to examine the characteristics of students enrolled in an introductory biology course at a predominantly Black, southern university. Characteristics studied were ability, aptitude, locus of control orientation, cognitive style, number and enjoyment of spatial experiences, attitudes toward biology, and family background…

Describes cognitive mapping techniques compatible with the information processing view of human thinking. Student knowledge was assessed by clinical interview and performance on paper-and-pencil tasks. Concept maps and semantic networks were then constructed. Uses that these assessment tasks and representations might have in science education are…

Suggesting advantages of using forests to teach succession, briefly outlines procedures for gathering evidence of succession including numbers, ages, and sizes of trees. Five plot studies conducted by students at the University of Victoria are also described. (DC)

High school biology content was rewritten in an attempt to reduce reading difficulties for students (N=265). After four weeks of use of reduced readability materials, no significant differences in achievement were apparent. (PB)

Proposes the use of schoolyard activities as a viable alternative to extended field trips for field investigations in biology. Describes and provides examples of different approaches including a problem oriented technique, Outdoor Biology Instructional Strategies (OBIS), and a sourcebook sponsored by the Council for Elementary Science…

Examines sociobiology (the biological study of human and animal social behavior on the basis of population genetics), which appears to have rapidly become scientifically acceptable, to determine if it constitutes good science. (PB)

Discussed is the question: "If science curricula reflect actions of pressure groups to include or delete certain content, is science a part of a basic, liberal education?" (PB)

Presents methods for demonstrating and applying scientific principles by growing plants through water culture (hydroponics), including a review of the history of hydroponics, re-creating some early experiments, and setting up a modern hydroponic system. (CS)

Describes the diffusion of water molecules with terminology adopted from the physical sciences. Presents a set of student exercises (with answers) relating to the topic. (SK)

Describes equipment, activities, and experiments useful in biology and environmental education instruction, including, among others, sampling in ecology using an overhead projector, the slide finder as an aid to microscopy, teaching kidney function, and teaching wildlife conservation-sand dune systems. (SK)

Summarizes "you do it" activities presented at the 1978 South Australian Science Teachers Association Conference. Topics include microscope use and maintenance, chemical slide cells, chemical models, sound waves, microwaves, astronomy, plant keys, reading geological maps, and natural dye processes. (DS)

Examined are the scope and status of precollege marine education, including history of marine education, present interdisciplinary marine education, informal approaches to marine education, marine awareness studies, and some implications of marine education. (Author/DS)

This column focuses on two science curriculum materials. Coastal/Oceanic Awareness Studies (COAST) is a collection of learning units designed to introduce students to marine and coastal environments. "Everyone Has Feelings and Other Children's Songs" by Sarah Barchas is a record album with ten songs written for young children. (Author/MP)

The Survey of Oceanic Attitudes and Knowledge (SOAK) was conducted to determine levels of marine awareness and participation in marine-related activities among 10th graders in Virginia. Major finding was a fairly low level of knowledge, varying with area of interest and respondent's sex, race, and place of residence. (BW)

Describes a new apparatus for Drosophila habitats which has the advantage of leaving pupae and adult flies undisturbed while being able to renew or move the media and larvae at will. (CS)