The conference summarized in this document represented an exploratory effort concerning the role and objectives of geography, including its predictive capabilities in both studying and directing the future spatial organization of the earth as the home of man. Initial conference presentations by Ronald Abler and William Warntz helped focus…

This curriculum guide permits the use of a great variety of materials and encourages creativity on the part of teachers and children. Listed are suggested activities to be considered as minimum learning experiences, leaving each teacher with the freedom and responsibility to provide variety and achieve individualized educational experiences for…

Considers who is at risk in a disaster such as Chernobyl. Assesses the difficulty in translating information regarding radiation to the public and in determining the acceptability of technological risks. (NKA)

Suggests how simple hikes can be integrated into the elementary school curriculum. Presents nine topic areas that can serve as themes for schoolyard hikes. (ML)

Describes a deterministic computer model that incorporates: (1) initial framework composition; (2) abrasion factors for quartz, feldspar, and rock fragments; and (3) a fragmentation ratio for rock fragments to simulate the recycling of coastal sands by rivers and beaches. (TW)

Case study assessed effects of rearrangement of desks in an open classroom on incidents of disruptive behavior occurring in that classroom. Results revealed that alteration of the physical environment produced positive responses from students through reduction of maladaptive behavior occurrences. (Author/MH)

The physical geography of the Los Angeles, California, area is composed of six natural regions: mountains, valleys, bays, rivers, a basin, and a peninsula. When the Spanish first explored the region they saw a fairly level plain, extending some miles back from the seacoast, with high mountains in the background. Most of the land near the ocean was…

Disturbing global trends show that human activity continues to threaten our ability to meet current human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability will become more inaccessible without a dramatic change in our current mindset and behavior. As the primary centers of teaching, research, and…

Understanding the geography of the state is the key to understanding the history of California. From the beginnings of the first early settlements of indigenous peoples, the terrain and resources of California have always influenced how people arrived and where they settled in the state. Having a knowledge of the physical setting of California is…

The Water in Africa Project was realized over a 2-year period by a team of Peace Corps volunteers. As part of an expanded, detailed design, resources were collected from over 90 volunteers serving in African countries, photos and stories were prepared, and standards-based learning units were created for K-12 students. This unit, "Water…

This teaching unit is designed to present the Norwegian viewpoint on the importance of participation in the global community. Through its national policies and the efforts of countless citizens, modern Norway is making an urgent statement to the global community about the best course to follow for the planet's safe future. This resource guide…

This teaching unit provides materials and information about the effects of El Nino on people, the economy, and nature around the world. It is important for students to know the impact El Nino has had on the world. The unit presents information that builds student's interest in other environmental phenomena as well. This unit offers information on…

This guide is designed to provide ideas on how to integrate biodiversity into teaching at many levels in both formal and informal settings. These curriculum materials are part of the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) environmental education program called Windows on the Wild (WOW). WOW incorporates current data from projects around the world and draws…

This is intended to be a how-to-do guide for the elementary classroom teacher whose principal has recently said, "We usually teach more science. You know our children are living in a scientific age." It's for teachers who want to learn some down-to-earth things about how to begin to teach science if they don't know much subject matter,…

Project REM (Resources, Energy, Mankind) incorporates energy, ecology, and environmental topics into a sixth-grade science curriculum. Various activities of this year-long project are discussed, including those related to Mr. REM (a student-built "robot") and an all day exploration of energy held near the end of the school year. (JN)