Describes an activity on density and its role on an object's floating or sinking. Uses canned regular and diet Coke soda pop to demonstrate differences in density. (YDS)

Introduces a functional model of sound transmission through solids and gases. Describes procedures of an activity to model how sound travels faster through solid materials than gases. Use dominoes to represent the particles of solids and gases. (KHR)

Reports on the use of a garden design process as a means of building children's understandings of and connections with their garden and for fostering ecoliteracy. (Author/MM)

Presents an activity for students to construct their own two-cup balances. Suggests some alternatives for rejuvenating weak bar magnets. Describes how to remove burnt carbon deposits from glass vessels. (NB)

Suggests using science trade books to help children make personal connections to science content. Integrating such literature into the science curriculum in an appropriate manner can help students make a direct connection with science. Presents a list of books with a multicultural emphasis that can be used as a springboard for science activities.…

Explores acids and bases using different indicators, such as turmeric, purple grape juice, and lichens. Because some of these indicators are not as sensitive as cabbage juice or litmus paper, determining to which acids and bases each indicator is sensitive presents an enjoyable, problem-solving challenge for students. Presents directions for…

Discusses the application of petroleum technology and presents activities designed to raise students' awareness of the importance of petroleum-based products in their lives. Includes a handout designed to help students understand the refining processes in which the crude oil from the drill site is transformed into nearly 6,000 petroleum-based…

Describes a program in which students present their displays in the normal science-fair style but without the competitive element and more as a "science-share". Describes an "energy day" celebration which included an energy exhibition and engaged students in an "energy decathlon" that challenged them with tasks encompassing many aspects of energy.…

Presents methods for growing crystals in the classroom. Includes alum crystals, salt crystals, and sugar crystals. (JRH)

Reports on a simple classroom exercise that investigates whether students' beliefs of what they think should happen influences their measurements. The exercise also provides a framework for discussing the challenges that human belief systems bring to the discipline of using the scientific process. Results suggest that students' preconceived…

Describes a visual approach for explaining the filling of electrons in the shells, subshells, and orbitals of the chemical elements. Enables students to apply the principles of atomic electron configuration while using manipulatives to model the building up of electron configurations as the atomic numbers of elements increase on the periodic…

Presents a project in which 11th and 12th grade students from a high school Principles of Engineering course instruct 5th grade students in Newton's laws. (KHR)

Presents one way to use an organized approach to investigation in order to compare and contrast different paper towel brands for their absorption capabilities. Uses investigation procedures rather than formal experimentation procedures due to the nature of the investigation. (Author/MM)

Demonstrates some of the chemistry of chlorine on a microscale about the size of a water droplet. Chlorine gas was prepared from an acidified bleach solution in a plastic petri dish. Provides suitable hands-on experience for students at the secondary-school level. (MM)

Presents a weather forecasting activity in which students experience the original view and style of weather forecasting. (YDS)