This activity makes students a part of an investigation that determines the frequency of a particular plant variety in a simulated population. Provides an opportunity for students to observe the inherent variability of estimates, observe the relationship between sample size and sampling error, and consider aspects of research design. (Author/SAH)

Describes a method used to teach the concept of radiometric dating using mathematical equations. Explores the lack of information in textbooks on how to solve radiometric dating problems using mathematical concepts. (SAH)

Describes a project in which students developed an all-class laboratory activity called "The Decomposition of Organic and Inorganic Substances in a Landfill". Explores what conditions are necessary to facilitate decomposition in a landfill. (SAH)

Discusses teaching ethnoscience in the classroom. Presents an activity incorporating an ethnoscience example, Mayan Ethnoastronomy, in the science curriculum. (Contains 12 references.) (ASK)

Introduces Vee mapping as an alternative method for traditional lab reports. Discusses six areas concerning Vee maps: (1) focus question; (2) word list; (3) concept map; (4) events; (5) data and analysis; and (6) conclusion. Explains the use of Vee maps and reasons for their use. (YDS)

Describes an instructional sequence in which a bicycle context was used to increase the status of appropriate concepts of work and simple machines. Tests this instructional sequence in an applied physics course for elementary education majors. Makes implications for conceptual change pedagogy and curriculum design. (Contains 13 references.)…

Presents an experiment that teaches the evolutionary approach to the study of animal behavior. (ASK)

Provides an exercise to promote students' understanding of the commonality of certain basic questions to all of biology and demonstrate the power of using different approaches with very different assumptions. (Contains 15 references.) (ASK)

Introduces an activity on photosynthesis for middle school students involving observation and data collection. (YDS)

Introduces an activity in which students learn measuring skills. Debates how to find an accurate method of determining the volume of an orange. (YDS)

Describes how to fit binocular observations of the planets to a theoretical model of circular orbits using a modern computer spreadsheet, from which fundamental data about the solar system may be deduced. (AIM)

Describes how a spreadsheet is used to fit a circular orbit model to observations of Jupiter's moons made with a small telescope. Kepler's Third Law and the inverse square law of gravity are observed. (AIM)

Describes methods to access current earthquake information from the National Earthquake Information Center. Enables students to build genuine learning experiences using real data from earthquakes that have recently occurred. (JRH)

Describes a project that sought to document biodiversity in northwest Costa Rica. Presents a unit designed to enable students to gain an understanding of the importance of biodiversity. (Author/JRH)

Explains a way to grow fern gametophytes and describes the use of these gametophytes to enable students to grasp the concept of alternation of generations. (DDR)