Relates how a classroom can support and house a mini-museum of natural science. Describes the various types of exhibits and the range of activities that can be developed from them. Explains student involvement in exhibit design and use. (ML)

Provides background material and laboratory procedures for an activity which requires students to compare (in quantitative terms) fossils from 10 localities and to objectively define provinces, regions, and realms. These paleobiogeographic relationships are then used to reconstruct the drift histories of the three continents on which the 10…

Discusses use of local newspaper weather maps (and related weather information) to create activities for the science classroom. Basic weather vocabulary and weather patterns are also discussed. (JM)

Discusses various plant parts used as food (including seeds, roots, stems, and leaves), emphasizing the origin of plant materials bought in the supermarket. Also discusses several concepts of nutrition, menu planning, and the relationship between food and energy from the sun. (JM)

Provided are activities focusing on phenomena associated with rotation of a double wheel (two bicycle wheels mounted on a common axis and free to rotate independently of each other) and on the operation of an electromagnetic toy car. (JN)

Background information on the biology of aphids is supplied. Using this information in a wide variety of investigations, many involving equipment and techniques available in the school laboratory, can be carried out. An appendix lists possible projects. (Author)

A list of materials needed and instructions are provided for an activity in which students create a mobile illustrating the balance of nature in a food web. Indicates that the activity works best with upper elementary grades. (JN)

Outlines activities of Animal Olympics Day held each spring by Staten Island Zoo. Events blend recreation and education into opportunities for children to "think and act like animals." A turtle obstacle course, human-sized nest building, and smelling to recognize items are examples of contests. Includes suggestions for starting similar…

Surveys careers in working with animals and gives suggestions for use of this topic in the classroom. Activities involve identifying reasons for choosing any career, careers involving animals (traditional and nontraditional), community personnel, and pros and cons of animal careers. Two student activity sheets are included for duplicating. (DH)

Describes two experiments that illustrate basic ideas but would be difficult to carry out. Also presents activities and experiments on rainbow cups, electrical charges, electrophorus calculation, pulse electrometer, a skidding car, and on the Oersted effect. (JN)

Presents a computer program which predicts the weather based on student input of such weather data as wind direction and barometric pressure. Also provides procedures for several hands-on, weather-related activities. (JN)

Describes a field exercise which links ecology and taxonomy in the teaching of the species concept. Two common hedgerow plants (red and white campions) are used as a pair of "species" that are normally distinct. Plants of intermediate character can be encountered, and the status of these plants is investigated. (Author/JN)

Discusses need for introducing material to educate students about the relationship of philosophy to physics and science in general, particularly in light of quantum mechanics. Suggesting the dual nature of electrons as a starting point and citing several supplemental texts, a demonstration is described to be used to introduce the topic. (JM)

Describes a variety of laboratory experiments including carbon dioxide reduction, animal respiration, atmospheric pressure determination, and others, that can be performed using discarded syringes. (GS)

Elementary school science curricula being produced commercially are reviewed by NSTA Curriculum Review Center. Emphasis is given to the Modular Activities Program in Science (MAPS). (EB)