Providing opportunities for skill-building, creativity, and reading for content are major objectives of the "funny paper center." This multidisciplinary learning center uses comic strips as facilitators in the classroom. Suggestions are given for language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and art education. (Author/RK)

Reviews the Crustal Evolution Project (CEEP) for the development and evaluation of geology materials to supplement existing science curricula. (SL)

The development and administration of a scientific literacy test designed to measure achievement of the objectives of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) project is described. Students who had completed the six year SCIS curricula were compared with those who had used other science materials. SCIS subjects scored significantly higher…

Elementary school students (12 year olds) and two groups of 13 year old grammar school students were involved in an experiment which measured the ability to recognize the concept of controlling variables. In addition, ability to transfer learning to another situation was tested. (CP)

Examines some of the problems in interpreting data from attitude measures when the dimensionality of the instrument and sources of heterogeneity in the population are ignored. Illustrates this point by describing the development of an instrument designed to measure children's attitude toward science-related activities. (TW)

Reviews the purposes, underlying assumptions, and curriculum development model for the United Kingdom's "Children's Learning in Science Project." Explains the general features and phases of the constructivist approach to learning that the program advocates. Identifies theoretical developments on children's ideas, the constructivist view…

Describes a program for sixth grade students developed by the Methacton School District (Norristown, PA) Planetarium staff. Provides brief outlines of eight teaching units designed to provide students with hands-on activities in astronomy. Includes a reproducible worksheet for an activity which involves students in creating and decoding…

Provides background information on how scientists have learned about the history of the Earth, including studying fossils, dating rocks, and tracing geological movements. Included are teaching activities about prehistoric animals, state fossils, tracing animal movement and evolution, and discovering fossils. Contains reproducible handouts and…

Provides background information on the many natural resources we extract from the earth's crust, including metals, graphite, and other minerals, as well as fossil fuels. Contains teaching activities such as a geologic scavenger hunt, a geology chronology, and the recycling of aluminum. Includes a reproducible handout for the activity on aluminum.…

Provides a partially annotated bibliography pertaining to the teaching of geology at the elementary school level. Included are general reference books, field guides, children's books, audio-visual materials, booklets, kits, maps, posters, computer courseware, and an index of geology-related articles appearing in past issues of "Ranger Rick"…

Suggests how simple hikes can be integrated into the elementary school curriculum. Presents nine topic areas that can serve as themes for schoolyard hikes. (ML)

Reviews the initiatives taken by six states in promoting precollege Science, Technology, Society (STS) education. Discusses the exemplary efforts undertaken in Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin. (ML)

Indicates the inadequacies and limitations of traditionally written elementary science textbooks. Offers suggestions and provides examples for teaching more accurately and experientially the nature and process of science. Identifies several sources for enrichment of the textbook. (ML)

Discusses the concept of "science for all" as it has applied to curriculum reform movements in Great Britain. Enumerates areas in science education that are in need of improvement and outlines important aspects of a coherent science curriculum. Suggested are several implications for the learning and teaching of science. (CW)

Suggests some of the basics and reasons for teaching balance. Explains how the concept of a cantilever can be used. Describes 25 activities for observing, testing and learning about balance. (CW)