The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has assembled this collection of reprints to assist teachers in organizing a science fair, working with students and establishing equitable judging procedures. The NSTA position statement on science fairs is included. The 24 reprints in this volume are geared toward elementary and middle school…

This booklet is the first in a series of three interdisciplinary units which focus specifically on the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding countries. The booklet, designed for lower secondary students, provides an introduction to the ocean environment such that students can understand the physical factors underlying issues raised by the other two…

The Atlantic barrier system is used as a focal point in this manual of field exercises. A collection of activities and posed questions provide students with opportunities to develop skills basic to the development of sound field techniques. Investigations can be adapted and modified by teachers to specific subject areas and developmental needs.…

Plate Tectonics Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) volcanoes (covering formation, distribution, and major volcanic groups); (2) earthquakes (with investigations on wave movements, seismograms and sub-suface earth currents); (3) plate tectonics (providing maps…

Universe Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) earth (providing activities on the physical shape of the earth and landform formations; (2) geography (emphasizing map reading skills); (3) universe (exploring the components, processes and future projects for the…

The "Maryland: Mountains to the Sea" exhibit (National Aquarium in Baltimore) consists of four exhibits and eight graphics panels. The exhibits are an Allegheny pond and a salt marsh which are both partially open, Assateague beach which includes birds, and the continental shelf. A variety of Maryland pond and ocean fish, crabs, and water…

This guide was developed with the intention of helping teachers and school site administrators in California review the elementary science curriculum and compare it to an idealized model that is presented in the document. Part I of the guide provides a summary of a number of characteristics considered to be important to a strong elementary science…

Recommended for grades 7-9 science and/or social studies classes, this 8-10 day unit provides students with experiences in conserving energy through small conservation activities and practices. The unit consists of 11 activities with rationale, objectives, and instructional strategies provided for each activity. Students are given information on…

Recommended for grades 10-12 physical, earth, or general science classes, this 5-7 day unit is designed to give students a general understanding of solar energy and its use as a viable alternative to present energy sources. Along with this technology, students examine several factors of solar energy which influence the choice of solar home site…

This teaching unit develops the possibility of using biomass as an alternative source of energy. The concept of biomass is explained and the processes associated with its conversion to energy are stated. Suggestions for development of biomass technology in different geographic areas are indicated. Lessons for 6 days are presented for use with…

Aptitude treatment interaction (ATI) for the two most widely used science teaching strategies (lecture method and lecture method augmented with classroom activities) was investigated. The aptitude variables examined were cognitive ability level expressed in Piagetian terms and cognitive learning style (field independence/dependence). A sample of…

This instructional packet is one of 14 school environmental education programs developed for use in the classroom and at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center (DEEC) of the Jackson Community College (Michigan). Provided in the packet are pre-trip activities, field trip activities, and post-trip activities which focus on preparations for winter…

This publication contains a collection of student-produced activities about wildlife. Children's views of the varying life forms that they encountered in field walks to a marsh are expressed through the games, puzzles, stories, and pictures that they created. Samples of the students' work are organized into separate topic areas. These include: (1)…

This unit is one of a group of units written to fit the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS) chemistry course, but it could be used in most Sixth Form courses. It includes: (1) teacher notes on contents, methods, and preparation; (2) two sets of data booklets and decision sheets for two new drugs (one data booklet based on 1960 information and…

Two different methods of collecting information about student activity in the laboratory were compared using a series of videotape recordings. One method was based entirely on the systematic observation of student behavior (interaction analysis); the second method involved students describing their laboratory activities while watching excerpts…