This article presents hands-on, experiential science activities that use mittens to teach elementary students about classification and insulation. The first involves children sorting mittens. The second has them find out for themselves why mittens keep their hands warm. Across-the-curriculum activities are also described. (SM)

Describes the Parents' Science Lab where parent volunteers lead a homeroom of 25-30 students through a hands-on science activity. Reports that this program has given parents personal experience with activity-based science and mathematics and made them positive and enthusiastic advocates for the cause of good science education. (JRH)

Presents suggestions for parents who wish to continue their children's science education at home. (JRH)

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…

Outlines what is currently known about Australian dinosaurs, where dinosaur fossils are found, and a field trip to look for dinosaurs. (ASK)

Describes a unit on detergents and bubbles that establishes an interest in the properties of materials and focuses on active learning involving both hands- and minds-on learning rather than passive learning. (ASK)

Explores teachers' use of trade books as part of the science curriculum. Finds that teachers considered content, visual features, readability, and developmental appropriateness, as well as potential uses for the books that they selected. Contemplates the role of text in elementary science instruction, including its place in supporting teachers…

Engaging fourth-grade students in hands-on science was easy when a container of mealworms arrived the second week of school. The author's naturally curious students immediately began asking questions, and soon they were eagerly investigating animal characteristics and behavior. But, the journey did not stop there. After students tested mealworms…

For the past few decades the integration of literacy instruction has influenced the teaching of science in the elementary classroom--whether through traditional learning or as part of inquiry and hands-on methods. One reason: the ubiquitous K-W-L strategy. This popular literacy strategy is essentially a framework to guide students through a…

This study compares the attitudes of primary children to school science between children from the Northern Ireland (UK) and Oman. Previous research has indicated that pupils in the more senior primary classes showed a marked decline in their enjoyment of school science, although most of this research was carried out in Europe, North America, and…

Collecting "bugs" is an authentic, engaging approach for students to learn about various arthropods and their habitat. Students are able to construct knowledge from field notes involving direct observation, drawing, and classification of these animals. This activity has continuously provided successful measurable content outcomes in which students…

In this article, the authors offer a safe, fun, effective way to introduce geology concepts to elementary school children of all ages: "coring" layer cakes. This activity introduces the concepts and challenges that geologists face and at the same time strengthens students' inferential, observational, and problem-solving skills. It also addresses…

A group of science coordinators in the London Borough of Newham decided that they wanted to create an exciting, stimulating and creative curriculum for teaching science across key stages 1 and 2 (5-11 year-olds). They were motivated to do this because they were concerned about an overloaded curriculum, dominated by literacy and numeracy, with…

If teachers decide to introduce the idea that the behaviour of matter ("stuff") can be explained by thinking about it as being made up of particles that exhibit particular properties, then they need to be aware of the learning difficulties involved. Before using this approach, therefore, more immediate consideration needs to be directed…

The authors developed a project with funding from Science Year in conjunction with a number of Belfast primary schools in which they introduced the process of DNA fingerprinting as part of a wider programme to investigate children's attitudes to science. There are two main difficulties in taking DNA fingerprinting into the primary school in any…