Snow is a widely available earth-science teaching medium which can be used to explore scientific concepts in the field, either directly or by analogy. Snow can be considered a mineral, sediment, sedimentary rock, or metamorphic rock. Natural processes such as crystal growth, melting, sedimentation, and metamorphism can be studied in practical time…

Illustrated are five classroom projects about the relationship between weight and size in animals. Background information and procedures are provided. Ten extension activities are suggested. (CW)

From respondents to a questionnaire sent to a random sample of 654 Texas biology teachers, the following conclusions were made: 86% agreed evolution should be taught, 47% agreed it was a central theme in biology, 8% indicated that it conflicted with the Bible, and 7% noted there were more useful alternative theories explaining the history of the…

Presents activities that utilize piezoelectric film to familiarize students with fundamental principles of electricity. Describes classroom projects involving chemical sensors, microbalances, microphones, switches, infrared sensors, and power generation. (MDH)

Describes the use of Gowin's Vee to make the connection between lecture and laboratory, guide science fair research, help students decipher professional research journals, and make oral science fair or lab report presentations easier to understand. Provides examples of Gowin's Vee applied to research articles and comprehensive criteria for…

Presents a series of books that serve as guides regarding outdoor activities for biology classes. Guides are categorized for the general study of nature and for the specific topics of birds, insects, and plants. (25 references) (MDH)

Explains how the surface of a freshly sliced potato can be used for a variety of enzyme action experiments including the influence of pH on enzyme action, the enzyme denaturation potential of boiling water, the inhibition of enzymes by heavy metals, and the effects of salt concentration on enzyme effectiveness. (PR)

A survey examined Israeli biology teachers' (n=95 student teachers and 118 practicing teachers) understanding of biology. Discusses teachers' knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, interest, and attitudes on characteristics including levels of biological organization; self-reported profiles; background variables; and differences between…

Presents a feedback approach used by the author to evaluate the degree to which the desired outcomes of a science methods course are met and to clarify students' perceptions about the course. (PR)

Examines a hypothetical curriculum development plan for Texas schools, focusing on the integration of technology skills into seventh-grade history, mathematics, language arts, and science, as well as teacher inservice training. A sidebar outlines technology integration activities for Texas history, the stock market, spreadsheets, creative and…

Describes a project to reform science education in which a community college collaborated with business and community partners to provide a summer institute for pre-K-12 teachers. Discusses the underlying assumptions and project design. Notes that teachers became excited about science curriculum, more comfortable teaching science, and more aware…

Provides four fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with specific curriculum units in science and social studies. Library media skills, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described for each activity. (LRW)

Examines the role of practical activities in secondary science from an international perspective and contrasts this with a developing country perspective. In classroom studies of biology practical work, practical activities were found to be more effective in enhancing student achievement and skills than traditional didactic classroom approaches.…

Describes the use of a supercomputer in chemistry and physics instruction. The computer is used by high school students to create high quality, nearly 3-D graphic images of scientific phenomena. (PR)

Investigated middle school students' computer tool use in managing and manipulating Internet-based hypermedia resources, hypothesizing that tools would let students process hypermedia resources at higher levels to solve complex, open-ended questions. Tools alone did not help students manage hypermedia information for solving these problems.…