Provides a group activity concerning loading conditions and vectors in equilibrium. Uses a cardboard template, string, and one-kilogram masses. Includes some possible resulting vector diagrams. (MVL)

Describes two activities to help students think about and understand the concepts of star brightness and apparent and absolute magnitude, as well as how a star's location in the universe affects these characteristics. (JRH)

Uses the television series "Star Trek" as an example to describe the impact of audiovisual images on students' perceptions of science, technology, and scientists. Describes activities to examine views that teachers and students hold toward the image of scientists on television and the overall portrayal of technology in various television…

Describes field and classroom activities to conduct investigations of insects that emphasize capture and release rather than capture for semipermanent collections. Provides contact information for the Young Entomologists' Society, Inc. (JRH)

Describes a fast and simple method for measuring the magnetic force acting on a current-carrying conductor using a digital balance. Discusses the influence of current intensity and wire length on the magnetic force on the conductor. (JRH)

Presents a simple exercise for students to do in the kitchen at home to determine the latent heat of vaporization of water using typical household materials. Designed to stress understanding by sacrificing precision for simplicity. (JRH)

Presents three experiments exploring aspects of the greenhouse effect. Topics and discussion includes radiation in energy transfer, emissivity and absorptivity, the irrelevance of reflectivity, a digression on insulators and convection, climate change, and radiative energy balance. (MCO)

Describes an activity for use with a chapter on dinosaurs, prehistoric life, or digestion in which children make simulated dinosaur stomachs to gain hands-on experience about the theory of gastroliths, or stomach stones. Presents teacher information about the digestive processes in birds and dinosaurs. Discusses materials needed, objectives,…

Describes using celebrations of dates in the history of science and technology as an instructional strategy. For example, the author celebrated the day of the Wright Brothers' first flight and culminated it with an paper airplane flying contest. Festivities begin with concept mapping to allow students the opportunity to relate new ideas to prior…

The purpose of this article is to emphasize the importance of conserving the genetic pool of the American chestnut stock. Readers are encouraged to seek sprouts and plant them in islands so they can grow and survive. The authors describe the diseases that have effected the chestnut tree. (PR)

Describes introducing archaeoastronomical concepts into science courses ranging from eighth grade to introductory college level. Archaeoastronomers attempt to reconstruct the astronomical techniques, religion, and lifestyle of ancient civilizations by connecting studies of their agriculture, folklore, architecture, and art. (PR)

Discusses the general advantages of role playing in education. Presents role-play activities in chemistry for teaching the properties of chemical elements. Activities follow an initial student project of presenting an element's description and picture into the "Element High" Yearbook. A copy of a worksheet for this project is included.…

Ways teachers have used insects in and out of the classroom to help nurture children's fascination are discussed. Projects for elementary, secondary, and college classes are described. (CW)

The effects of temperature and pressure on the collapsing of soda cans are discussed. The use of various temperatures and substances for the cooling bath are described. (KR)

Discusses the advantages of and strategies in having students create analogies to facilitate learning biology. Presents a vocabulary worksheet to facilitate analogy creation and describes its use. The author discusses the use of instructional strategies including forced associations, metaphorical sketches, mnemonics, and association memorization.…