A lesson plan, directed at middle school students and older, describes using snow to study the geological processes of solidification of molten material, sedimentation, and metamorphosis. Provides background information on these geological processes. (MCO)

Describes a term paper assignment where students are allowed to pick a topic that interests them based upon the course focus and course format. Authors have found that, if students are interested in a topic and it is relevant to them, some of the onerousness that students associate with writing can be significantly reduced. (PR)

Describes CD-ROM-based program called Joint Education Initiative that was started by U.S. Geological Survey. The culmination of the collaborative effort includes three compact discs and a teacher activity book. The discs contain several databases, geophysical data that can be superimposed over satellite images of North America, images from the…

Provides a summary of atmospheric science resources available to help science teachers develop up-to-date units on weather. Resources include activities of professional organizations involving radio, television, printed materials, inservice workshops, and telecommunications resources. (MDH)

Research concerning the role of stratospheric ozone and the effect of chlorofluorocarbons on stratospheric ozone are discussed. The consequences of global ozone depletion are projected. The Montreal Protocol is reviewed. (CW)

Presents a study where astronomy teachers (n=66) try to predict student (n=330) outcomes on astronomy and related topics pre- and posttest. Suggested findings include a course in astronomy did not result in an overall knowledge gain, teachers fared well at predicting prior student knowledge, and teachers vastly overestimated student gain in…

Summarizes the results of three related studies whose overall purpose was to determine elementary students' conceptions about earthquakes at two widely separated locations in the United States. Certain topics, such as the cause of earthquakes, seemed to cause difficulty for students. New definitional responses emerged in the studies that took…

Discusses and explains early people's fears and explanations of eclipses. Describes the lunar eclipse scheduled for November 28-29. (PR)

Describes science activities for a field trip to the beach for sixth-grade students. Explains how students can save what they find using plaster of Paris to create a sand cast. (PR)

Provides instructions for building a radio telescope for less than $120. (PR)

Aspects of impact crater morphology can be studied using a simple, easily constructed, and inexpensive apparatus. A sandbox is constructed and an iron ball dropped from an electromagnet from a height of at least 2 meters. Students can measure crater diameter, crater depth, and projectile penetration depth to investigate how each relates to impact…

Describes a survey of Greek schoolchildren's alternative conceptions about weather and climate. Finds that misconceptions exist, including confusion between the meanings of the terms "weather" and "climate", inflated estimates of temperature, and a belief that yearly weather data define climate. Suggests ways to help students…

Points out the importance of writing, trialling, and using curriculum materials that are illustrated in the teaching and learning of what is widely recognized as the most recent revolution in scientific knowledge. Outlines events and factors related to the ways in which scientific knowledge was gained. (Contains 69 references.) (Author/YDS)

Presents a weeklong earth science module that allows students to explore the relationships between natural and manufactured materials. Relates rocks and minerals in the earth science curriculum to observations students make in their urban and suburban travels. (DDR)

Describes two successful approaches (peer teaching and role playing) to teaching students about their environment. Also included are ideas for additional classroom assignments. (ZWH)