Presents a lesson on toothpick chromosomes as a way to model genetics concepts in a more tangible and accessible way for middle school students. (KHR)

Presents a series of safety scenarios that science teachers may encounter during a camping trip or field instruction. Provides activities and background information on the topic of safety around abandoned, active, and idled mines as well as information addressing technology and mining careers. (KHR)

Describes activities designed to introduce cells to students and grab their attention. Provides effective strategies to teach many new terms and unfamiliar words related to organelles. (KHR)

Presents an outdoor activity to study pill bugs. Includes a lesson plan. (KHR)

Describes an activity called the Science Signature Game which purports students to know something about the other members of their class before they start working together. Discusses the effectiveness of this game and includes a sample of the game cards. (KHR)

Presents an activity that encourages students to think as scientists and explores microgravity. Employs a drop tower built with simple materials. (DDR)

Presents an activity that uses phosphorescent stars to help students understand the wave and particle nature of light. Discusses star phosphorescence, the emission spectrum of the stars, and the photoelectric effect. (DDR)

Presents a variety of activities that support the development of an understanding of Newton's laws of motion. Activities use toy cars, mobile roads, and a seat-of-nails. Includes a scoring rubric. (DDR)

Describes a unit on the study of ladybugs. Suggests that most people, especially children, consider ladybugs to be friendly and therefore are eager to observe and learn more about them. Presents activities, lists interesting ladybug facts, and makes recommendations for interdisciplinary learning. (NB)

Advocates using graphs with young children to express relationships in a visual form. Describes how to teach children about graphs to encourage them to develop the ability to quantify data and the confidence to use this tool for science learning. (NB)

Presents an activity that explores the operation of Maglev trains. Demonstrates that elementary students can master cutting-edge technology through creating and racing magnetic vehicles on a specially designed track, researching the history of rail transportation, and exploring a current science issue. (NB)

Presents investigations, recommended for grades four through eight, in which students design and create their own tops using everyday materials. Discusses preparation, concept development, concept application, and integration with other subjects. (JRH)

Presents a blood type puzzle that provides a visual, hands-on mechanism by which students can examine blood group reactions. Offers students an opportunity to construct their own knowledge about blood types. (JRH)

Presents an activity that helps students visualize the major systems of the human body. Involves students building models of those systems, and gives them an understanding of the relationships between different organs by enabling them to see the organs' positions in the body. (JRH)

Describes the construction of electric motors that can be used to teach students the basic principles underlying the direct current motor. (JRH)