This study investigates student misconceptions in the areas of continent, ocean, permanence of ocean basins, continental drift, Earth's magnetic field, and plates and plate motions. A teaching-learning model was designed based on a constructivist approach. Results show that students held a substantial number of misconceptions. (Author/DKM)

Presents research on different techniques to determine the level of understanding among middle school students regarding the phases of the moon. Quotes student responses to provide some insight into students' level of understanding of general knowledge about the moon, moon phases, and modeling the phases. Presents implications for teachers. (KHR)

Presents an activity that is part of a unit on topography and land masses in the earth science curriculum. Involves students learning about scientific inquiry, comparing a model with what it represents, making and interpreting scale drawings, learning how to use new instruments, and learning about computation and estimation. (JRH)

Presents the results of a survey on volcanism completed by secondary students (N=1000) in Northern Italy. Findings indicate that these students, who live in a non-volcanic area, firmly believe that their area is volcanic. (DDR)

Uses earthquakes to teach about the importance of collecting enough data and simplifying and visualizing them appropriately. Leads students relatively easily into a sophisticated yet enjoyable examination of large databases and creating hypotheses to explain the patterns that they unearth. (Author/NB)

Presented are the arguments of two different points of view on the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. Evidence of extraterrestrial impact theory and massive volcanic eruption theory are discussed. (CW)

Presented is a set of procedures designed to check the design, ergonomics, illumination, function, optics, accessory equipment, and image quality of a microscope being considered for purchase. Functions for use in a petrology or mineralogy laboratory are stressed. (CW)

A characterization of the nontraditional student including veterans, vocational-rehabilitation students, single parents, and late reentry students is presented. Recruitment and retention of these students into the geological sciences is discussed. (CW)

Discusses the chemistry of the stratosphere at mid-latitudes, the Antarctic phenomenon, and temporal trends in ozone levels. Includes equations, diagrams of the global distribution of ozone, and halogen growth projections. Concludes that studies of stratospheric ozone demonstrate that the global environment is fragile and is impacted by human…

Explains the need for science training for many environmental careers and science related tasks required in performing their jobs. States that environmentalists are getting industries to change production methods and helping policymakers make regulations. (RT)

Investigates the nature of catastrophic volcanism and the rifting process. Describes two kinds of evidence: quantitative descriptions of rock melting and a wide range of observations. Discusses examples of continent growth in the North Atlantic, India and the Seychelles islands, and the South Atlantic. (YP)

Describes exercises in which tabs from aluminum beverage cans are used to introduce principles of classification, biostratigraphy, and evolution. Provides diagrams which represent dorsal and ventral views of species and a table which graphs units of time in relation to species duration. (RT)

Discusses the new Soviet geography curriculum comprised of: Introduction to Physical Geography; Geography of the Continents and Oceans; Geography of the USSR; Geography of the USSR II; and Economic and Social Geography of the World. Discusses the program's scientific content and describes the trends of geography instruction in Soviet classrooms.…

Describes the use of weather satellites in providing an exciting, cohesive framework for students learning Earth and space science and in providing a hands-on approach to technology in the classroom. Discusses the history of weather satellites and classroom satellite tracking. (JRH)

Describes a long-term project, Moonwatch, which introduces the relationships between the earth, sun, and moon, highlighting the broad conceptual themes of patterns and change. (MKR)