This activity attempts to address a lack of emphasis in most science curricula on the microbial activity that determines soil's health. Presents an experiment that involves students in seeing how the enzyme assay is used as an indicator of soil quality and microbial activity. Contains procedures and discussion questions. (LZ)

Presents an activity that enables students to answer for themselves the question of how fast a body must travel before the nonrelativistic expression must be replaced with the correct relativistic expression by deciding on the accuracy required in describing the kinetic energy of a body. (ZWH)

Provides an enhanced version of the Cartesian diver demonstration often used to demonstrate the effect of pressure on the diver. This design also demonstrates the effect of temperature on the diver. (ZWH)

Considers using a football game to provide a group activity on physics reasoning. Groups determine how long the coin toss was in the air, distance of kickoff, velocity of ball leaving the tee, maximum height of ball, force applied to the ball when passed by the quarterback, etc. Provides possible solutions to each question. (MVL)

Provides the background theory and some experiments for studying static equilibrium using a Slinky. (MVL)

Uses a clamp-on ammeter to measure current loads of many small and major appliances. Notes its ease of use. Includes a table of amperage and wattage usage for many home appliances. (MVL)

Describes and assesses the health and safety implications of school practical work involving the use of DNA. Includes a table of hazards, risks, and preventive or protective measures to limit risks in some educational activities using DNA. (MKR)

Describes an approach for teaching with analogies in secondary science classes and gives an example using the three states of matter. (14 references) (Author/MKR)

Describes an activity that uses paper airplanes to demonstrate natural selection and is preceded by a lesson on the fossil record to supply a foundation for the concept of evolution. (JRH)

A hands-on simulation on spider web construction is described. Students recreate the mysteries of web construction by creating a yarn web with a pentagonal frame, 12 spokes, and 12 spiral loops. Contains instructions to the teacher for constructing the web board. Provides a procedure for the students to follow. (PR)

Describes activities for helping students learn the metric system. Suggests teachers use metric units in ordinary conversation. Describes a homework assignment for students to make 20 metric measurements. Provides instructions on conducting a "TV studio" style game that is played on Metric Day (October 10th). (PR)

Describes a simple method for preserving snowflakes that allows them to be viewed and photographed through a microscope under different lighting and color-filtering systems to bring out details that would otherwise go unnoticed. Includes directions for preparing the preserving solution, replicating procedures, and the related safety precautions.…

Outlines the steps necessary to conduct a science fair project and examines two specific examples of how a basic idea for a science fair topic can be followed to its completion. Provides examples of day-to-day operational science in a basic botany project and a lunar geography project. (JJK)

Introduces the basics of radio astronomy and describes how to assemble several simple systems for receiving radio signals from the cosmos. Includes schematics, parts lists, working drawings, and contact information for radio astronomy suppliers. (11 references) (Author/JJK)

Reviews the discovery, the properties, and the composition of the physical phenomena of fields with a focus on magnetic and electrical fields and what makes them special. Provides a method to detect and estimate the strength of electromagnetic fields using an ordinary portable radio. (Author/JJK)