Presents excerpts from "The Comet Book," a nontechnical primer on comets. Various topics discusses in these excerpts include such basic information about comets as their components, paths, and origins. (DH)

Discusses helioseismology, the study of solar oscillations. Describes several different projects devoted to this science. Highlights new research and information about the sun. Several illustrations are presented to illustrate events and oscillations. (CW)

Examines three types of gaps in the fossil record: real gaps, imaginary gaps, and temporary gaps. Reviews some recent evidence concerning evolution from the paleontological record of microfossils, invertebrates, and vertebrates in order to make some general conclusions regarding the manner in which life evolved on earth. (CW)

Outlines six soil and water investigations that students can pursue outdoors, in nature centers, or in classrooms: soil characteristics; relationship between soil ph and plant life; what aggregates tell us; differences in soil structure; differences in rate of water absorption by soil; and soil exploration with a Berlesi funnel. (NEC)

Describes the formation and development of hurricanes and discusses the disasters associated with them. Reviews the warning signals used for tropical storms and provides an overview of the hurricane naming process. (ML)

Lists a short Applesoft program which uses Hi-Res graphics to help students aged eight and up learn the points of a compass. Program features include help on incorrect responses and display of the percentages of correct responses at the end of a session. (JN)

"Io," one of four satellites of Jupiter, orbits its mother planet in roughly the same plane as Earth orbits the sun. Guidelines for collecting data about Io using a reflecting telescope, 35mm camera, and adapter are presented. A computer program used in studying Io's maximum distance from Jupiter is available. (DH)

A survey listing 21 major oceanographic concepts and several sub-concepts was mailed to all Ohio earth science teachers. Respondents indicated that most of the oceanography topics taught were geologically-oriented. Oceanography concepts relating to ecology, chemical, physical or life science are considered less important. (DH)

Presents basic information on the planet Venus answering questions on location, size, temperature, clouds, water, and daylight. A weather forecast for a typical day and revelations from radar experiments are also included. (DH)

Provides background material and laboratory procedures for an activity which requires students to compare (in quantitative terms) fossils from 10 localities and to objectively define provinces, regions, and realms. These paleobiogeographic relationships are then used to reconstruct the drift histories of the three continents on which the 10…

Discusses use of local newspaper weather maps (and related weather information) to create activities for the science classroom. Basic weather vocabulary and weather patterns are also discussed. (JM)

Describes the rationale for and objectives of a strategy in which students display projects in lieu of a final examination. Although no grading is attached to the "walk-through," participation is required for the course grade. Sample student projects reflecting the variety of display formats are also described. (JN)

A follow-up study of teacher education programs in earth science reveals few changes in instructional methods and course requirements, and shows little progress in adopting nationally-developed recommendations for an interdisciplinary approach. (MLH)

Presented is a review of studies investigating factors affecting climatic changes in the Earth's atmosphere--past, present, and future. Dating methods, particularly the Oxygen 18/16 method, are discussed. (SL)

Describes an earth science laboratory approach designed to involve students in an ongoing method of solving problems; student questions and discussion provide the basis for laboratory exercises. (Author/SL)