Highlights several basic ecological principles and suggests corresponding classroom activities for grades five to eight that revolve around a freshwater aquarium. Basic ecological concepts, adaptations, characteristics of aquatic habitats, and pollution problems are outlined in separate tables. A short list of resource materials is included.…

An alphabetical list of 44 references (books and articles) on various aspects of creationism, creationism-evolution controversy, and Darwinism is presented. (JN)

Surveys factors which may contribute to problems in elementary school science, including among others, teacher attitudes, teacher preparation, learning styles, and inaccessibility of most scientific literature to individuals without formal training in science. Offers possible solutions to these problems. (JN)

Describes four functions served by student attitudes (instrumental, ego-defensive, value expressive, and knowledge) and discusses various ways to foster positive attitudes including using principles of cognitive dissonance. Also discusses various types of attitude measures. (SK)

Instructions (with diagrams and parts list) are provided for constructing an eye model with a pliable lens made from a plastic bottle which can vary its convexity to accommodate changing positions of an object being viewed. Also discusses concepts which the model can assist in developing. (Author/SK)

Provided are two informational sheets, one on puffers and one on carrageen (Irish Moss) and two classroom activities, one on buoyancy in fresh and salt water and one on water surface tension. (DC)

Provides lists of instructional strategies for elementary school science focusing on: (1) the biological sciences; (2) forces, movement, and energy, and (3) the physical sciences. (JN)

Reviews results of a California trial concerning the teaching of evolution in public school classrooms. Also lists recent legislation in the states of Florida, California, Minnesota, South Dakota, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and Arkansas. (CS)

Inservice mini-courses using a learning cycle instructional strategy (exploration, invention, discovery) have been developed. A description of the mini-course format (compatible with inservice programs sponsored by school systems), sample outline, and list of courses developed (with themes of environmental science and/or energy) are included.…

Explores the cognitive development of Nepalese students by administering Piagetian-type tasks and comparing geographically and culturally different children. Boys and girls (N=256) of ages 8, 10, and 12 were administered tasks of conservation, classification and seriation, and causality. Implications for curriculum development in Nepal are made.…

Argues that research for teacher use would be more effective if it were: (1) of the form referred to as naturalistic case studies and (2) oriented toward discovering cognitive and social interaction mechanisms underlying the learning processes in classrooms. (Author/SK)

Instrumentation, methodology, and analysis techniques were developed to measure changes in adolescents' (N=10) skills in linear distance estimation. Microcomputers were used to present and control amount of information available to assist students in said estimations. Results and implications are reported. (Author/SK)

Activity topics suggested were selected from the many areas of study which can be drawn from the outdoor school environment: See That Tree; Time Passing; Critters; and Digging in the Dirt. The ideas shared are intended as a beginning on which teachers and children can build. (MP)

Presented in chart format are items from over 200 suppliers of science education materials, including textbooks, tradebooks, program/resource materials, media, and laboratory and other equipment. Addresses of suppliers, grade level/subject area, and supplementary resources are also provided. Includes listing of firms providing sources but which…

Argues for a scientific philosophy that views theory not as absolute truth but as a model that attempts to explain reality and promote inquiry. Proposes that science teachers build upon students' existing knowledge by first presenting simple, less accurate but more comprehensive models and later discussing the weaknesses. (DC)