Aviation and space (aerospace education) is the study of aviation and space and its impact on society. Discusses the nature and scope of aviation and space education in general and basic education. Also considers typical programs and scope at the elementary, secondary, and higher educational levels. (JN)

Briefly discusses five fundamental goals for science education. Goals focus on developing scientific and technological process and inquiry skills; teaching to provide scientific/technological knowledge; student demonstration of knowledge; student use of knowledge for personal/social decisions; and student examination of science/society/technology…

Demonstrations, experiments, and classroom activities/materials for middle school science are presented. These include: additive color mixing demonstration; electricity activity and worksheet; atmospheric pressure "magic" demonstration; homemade microbalance; energy from soap bubbles; and a model used to demonstrate muscle pairs and how…

Discusses the history and evolution of measurement standards from 3000 BC to the modern metric system. Traces measurement techniques from comparisons with the human body to use of atomic clocks and lasers to establish the length of a meter. (JM)

Discusses various issues related to science education reform in Great Britain. The principle concern is over the extent to which content of both courses/examinations provides children with skills/attitudes relevant to their needs in the modern world. Although all agree that changes are needed, reforms may prove elusive. (JN)

Supports the position that goals developed and used to guide science education practice during the 1950s and mid-1960s are no longer adequate and that a new consensus of goals is needed for the 1980s. This consensus would reflect the real world and problems students will face in the future. (JN)

Reports on a classroom technique (social interaction) for improving fifth-grade students' performance in the task domain of controlling variables. The technique involved asking students why something happened, asking for justification/evidence, suggesting alternative explanations and asking for evaluation of the same, and accepting explanation…

Discusses the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary nature of the BSCS Human Sciences Program and problems associated with the development, dissemination, and use of such curricula. Poses a series of questions related to these problems and discusses influences of single-issues pressure groups on science teaching. (JN)

Describes a demonstration and role-playing activity focusing on differences between living/dead, definitions of living/dead, and situations in which active euthanasia could be morally right. (Author/JN)

Suggests instructional strategies for biology teachers confronted with creationism in the classroom and ways of dealing with the literal view of the public regarding the Bible. Supporting documentation (such as Christian ideas supporting scientific spirit and inquiry and definitions of the earth) is included in appendices. (JN)

"Whole body" denotes using the entire body to sense and experience a concept or idea. Typical whole body learning activities involve use of several senses: muscle sense, temperature, pain, pressure, and sense of equilibrium. Four whole body science activities are described, including identifying trees by touch. (Author/JN)

Presents a botany unit designed to provide understanding of a plant life cycle, plant parts and functions, and variety within the plant world. The unit is organized according to plant morphology (structure). Each section includes concepts fostered, suggestions for focused discussions, experiments, and activities to support concept development.…

Describes physical science activities that civil/mechanical engineers (serving as resource persons) can use with students during units on force, work, center of gravity, simple machines, and other basic mechanics concepts. Activities are adapted from Career Oriented Modules to Explore Topics in Science for grades 5-9 (COMETS). (Author/JN)

Highlights elementary units of The Energy Source Program, a comprehensive K-12 energy education program. These units form an integrated K-6 energy curriculum. Each unit addresses specific objectives and can be completed in about 2 weeks (20-40 minutes/day). A list of unit topics is also included. (Author/JN)

Reviews Outdoor Biology Instructional Strategies (OBIS) materials. The program, consisting of 97 nonsequential biology/ecology activities (games, simulations, crafts, experiments, data analyses), teach environmental concepts and an understanding/appreciation of the environment. Indicates effectiveness of the materials in motivating students,…