Considers how Portuguese and British parents of primary pupils rose to the challenge of having parents help them by taking part in home science activities, taking into account the recent history of science education in the two countries. Shows that the learning atmosphere is very different from that of school, being more conducive to relaxed and…

Discusses Knob's solution, which was considered the ideal plant growth solution in 1865, and recommends eliminating Knob's solution from active teaching. Describes solution culture basics including nutrient solutions, containers and aeration, and plants and light. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

Investigates how much time parents devote to environmental activities and to what extent they are involved with their children in participation in such events. Focuses on two different settings, home and school. Reports cultural and educational differences between Mexican and English parents. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/YDS)

Students in a laboratory techniques course for preservice teachers were engaged in an activity that was designed to assess their skills in identifying geologic materials and model a situation that might be encountered by new teachers. Related activities were designed to give the preservice teachers practical experience in obtaining geologic…

Discusses the urban myth that "If toast can land butter-side down, it will" as an example of a source of projects demonstrating the use of the scientific method beyond its usual settings. Other urban myths suitable for investigation are discussed. (Author/MM)

Compares phase diagrams relating to the solubilities and melting points of various substances in textbooks with those generated by a spreadsheet using data from the literature. Argues that differences between the diagrams give rise to new chemical insights. (Author/MM)

Describes an unusual course at the University of California, Los Angeles which includes DNA sequencing experiences and exploration of the social, economic, and ethical issues resulting from advances in biotechnology. (EV)

Presents an activity on the electrostatic phenomenon known as induction. Reviews the principles illustrated by each of the activities described in this series. (DDR)

Explains the shape distortions that take place in fluid packets (bubbles or drops) with steady flow motion by using the laws of Archimedes, Pascal, and Bernoulli rather than advanced vector calculus. (WRM)

This intermediate-level science activity has students observe the effect of ice-cold water mingling with warm water. Water's behavior and movement alters with shifts in temperature. Students must try to determine how temperature affects the movement of water. Necessary materials include a pencil, cup, glass jar, masking tape, warm water, ice…

Describes nine basic experiments that demonstrate the wave nature of light and the optical properties of water. Finds that a laser pointer works well as a light source in the laboratory. (CCM)

Discusses introductory polarized light measurements in which a diode laser pointer replaces the more frequently used polarized helium-neon laser. (WRM)

Presents activities designed to help children experimentally determine what the dark areas of the moon consist of, and compares primary children's ideas about the moon with those of early scientists. (WRM)

Describes an exercise in which students can use flashlights, mirrors, and colored paper to discover scientific principles regarding optics. Addresses the concepts of angles of incidence and reflection, colored vs. white light, and mirror images. (WRM)

Discusses the goals and context of the Project Integrating Science and Math with Language Arts and Social Studies (PRISM) program. Describes in detail how the unit was developed, particularly the content connections and activities for the main subject areas. (Author/CCM)