In preparing this volume, every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the most recent authorities have been consulted, and it is believed that a faithful view is presented of the various sciences embraced, as far as they are at present developed. It is the intention of the author to keep his book up to the times by constant revision, and to…

Discussed is the use of volunteers to teach an astronomy laboratory course. Amateur astronomy groups were recruited to help teach this course. Advantages of using volunteers are listed. A list of student field experiences is included. (KR)

Notes the remarkable success of the astronomy component of the National Curriculum in England and Wales. Presents findings of a survey of children's astronomical beliefs, which are consistent with constructivist theory, and proposes the value of children's astronomy learning. Argues that a 1995 revision in the National Curriculum, which would…

This resource list contains stories on the following topics: antimatter, asteroids, astronomers, black holes, comets, cosmology, jupiter, life elsewhere, mars, mercury, meteors, the moon, particle physics, pluto, quantum mechanics, quasars and active galaxies, relativity, saturn, stars, the sun, supernovae and neutron stars, time travel, uranus,…

Presents names, phone numbers, and addresses for obtaining space resources used in classroom instruction. (PR)

Presents those books that were selected as outstanding children's science trade books published in 1998 for elementary (K-8) students. Annotated bibliography entries list publication information, a brief description of the work, and the National Science Education Standards to which the book relates. Entries are classified under the categories of…

Introduces some ideas for using space in classrooms. Provides a rationale for using space as part of the curriculum and focuses on the concept of a space mission as a vehicle for learning. Includes a list of some space-related web sites. (DDR)

"National Science Education Standards" (1996), published by the National Research Council, recommends that students learn to explain Moon phases and eclipses by the time they graduate from eighth grade. It is clear from the research literature, however, that misconceptions about Moon phases and eclipses are widespread and resistant to change, even…

This study uses an existing astronomy software program to encourage inquiry-based learning and argumentation while also ensuring gains on conventional classroom assessments and high-stakes achievement tests. To supplement the software program, a curriculum and three levels of assessment--quizzes, exam, and test--were designed and administered to…

We present results for a decade-long assessment program for an introductory course for non-science majors. This study focuses on student evaluation data and student-supplied information about sex, race, age, academic background, student study time, study habits, and course grade. The results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship…

Produced by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), Project Haystack presents scenarios that depict various aspects of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Students conduct hands-on and minds-on activities while exploring what it means to send and receive a message across interstellar distances. Students explore and map vast…

Arguing that the use of video in science instruction is an effective way to infuse both action and emotion into the educational setting, this paper chronicles faculty efforts at Brevard Community College (BCC), in Cocoa, Florida, to develop videos for science instruction and provides recommendations for producing similar videos. Following a…

This book helps teachers fulfill curriculum requirements by building both science content and process skills through hands-on exploration. Ten broad subject areas are covered: (1) Discovering Science, (2) Matter and Energy, (3) Humans, (4) The Environment, (5) Rocks, (6) Plants, (7) Living Creatures, (8) Weather, (9) The Heavens, and (10) Applying…

This resource for teachers of elementary age students provides a foundation for building a life-long interest in the U.S. space program. It begins with a basic understanding of man's attempt to conquer the air, then moves on to how we expanded into near-Earth space for our benefit. Students learn, through hands-on experiences, from projects…