The videos in this educational series, for grades 4-7, help students understand the science behind weather phenomena through dramatic live-action footage, vivid animated graphics, detailed weather maps, and hands-on experiments. This episode (23 minutes) describes the roles of the sun, temperature, and air pressure in creating the incredible power…

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Discovering Deserts." Contents are organized into the following…

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Geology: The Active Earth." Contents are organized into the…

Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Rain Forests: Tropical Treasures." Contents are organized into the…

This digest describes an interdisciplinary approach to instruction based on the relationship between reading, writing, and arithmetic. Questions related to which language learning strategies apply to mathematics, the perspectives of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) regarding this approach, the impact of reading on…

Discusses logistic and educational preparations for a field trip to collect marine organisms, the return of those organisms to the classroom, and creative approaches to study and appreciation of the organisms collected. Includes a discussion of safety at the beach and several tips for care and maintenance of aquariums. (JM)

Discusses laboratory procedures, classroom materials, and demonstrations including: a model for metallic/ionic structures; Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction; aids to teaching crystal structure; a metal displacement project; silver recovery from fixer and silver residues; iodine sublimation; nature of acids; card models for teaching bonding; and…

Outlines methodology, demonstrations, and materials including: an inexpensive wave machine; speed of sound in carbon dioxide; diffraction grating method for measuring spectral line wavelength; linear electronic thermometer; analogy for bromine diffusion; direct reading refractice index meter; inexpensive integrated circuit spectrophotometer; and…

Provides instructions for constructing a "Heath Robinson compass" and describes activities/demonstrations focusing on energy waves, opposing forces, illusory motion with paper movies, and motion of vessels in air and in water. (JN)

Points out the value of using educational games as an instructional strategy and discusses different game formats using science examples. Identifies general characteristics of simulation games and presents as an example "Little Lake," a role playing game for grades 7-12 on population growth. (DC)

Describes an electric writing experiment, food hygiene computer program (includes complete Commodore PET program listing), a simple battery holder, and activities using magnets. (JN)

Provides rationale for and examples of nature study activities using school yards, vacant lots, and city parks. Focusing on city wildlife, the interdisciplinary activities provide experiences in observing and investigating. Three duplicating masters (animals on ground, animals overhead, and tree study) are provided. (JN)

Traces changes made in teaching about energy in science classes during the last 30 years. Emphasizes the need to better relate science to society and the environment. Outlines the general format and sample activities from the "Science in Society" project as an example. (DC)

The use of electronic equipment in junior high classrooms is described. The study of physical and musical vibration systems emphasizes the terms amplitude, frequency, dynamics, octaves, and timbre. (DS)

Reports results of a study examining the effectiveness of microcomputers as aids in developing problem-solving skills. Group dynamics of students working with microcomputers was also explored, as well as the effectiveness of this instructional aid with students of varying abilities. (CS)