Described is an earth science course in which students develop projects throughout the school year. Essential behavior goals, a description of projects for developing cooperative group skills, and a student evaluation form are included. (KR)

An integrated unit that combines the areas of science, social studies, and art is described. Water and land environment, the community, and folk arts are reflected in the unit. Activities include measuring water and air parameters, netting and seining, observation of a stream and the land around it, writing and picture journals, and media…

The issues, roles, dynamics, rationales and events embroiled in the dissection controversy are discussed. Insights into where the politics of biology education without speciesism or dissection are likely to take science education in the future are provided. (KR)

Information on student learning in terms of amount and efficiency when using interactive video instead of traditional laboratory methods as well as questions on the use of live animals for instruction is provided. The methods, results, discussion, and summary are included. (KR)

Examines features of science experiments that make them interesting to middle school students (n=59 seventh graders). Compared a model of interest in learning with the reasons students gave for liking experiments. Latent partition analysis was used to derive an empirical model from characteristics of interesting science experiments. (PR)

Science activities of the 14 science textbooks most commonly used in middle and junior high school were analyzed and coded to determine the level of the thinking skills emphasized in comparison to supplemental guide activities. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in the quantity but not quality of the thinking…

Discusses traditional school demonstrations and experiments in hydrotropism. Explains that these experiments seem to "prove" hydrotropism, but yet most botanists reject hydrotropism. Teachers continue to teach the concept because it is logical and the experiments are simple. (PR)

Describes how students can make and use Hooey Machines to learn how mechanical energy can be transferred from one object to another within a system. The Hooey Machine is made using a pencil, eight thumbtacks, one pushpin, tape, scissors, graph paper, and a plastic lid. (PR)

Describes an activity for studying weeds in grades four through nine. "Wanted" posters are prepared with the scientific name of a common weed and a few identifying features. Students find the plant, give it an "alias" or common name, and then draw the "wanted" picture. Presents six wanted posters and describes expansion lessons and follow-up…

A simple apparatus for studying various forms of the aurora borealis on a miniature scale can be constructed from a neon-storage flask, aluminum tape, a cardboard box, and a small piezoelectric ion gun of the type used to neutralize static charges on phonograph records. (PR)

Describes activities to help students see discontinuities as faults. Students collect data, manipulate data, and use the data to formulate explanations. Schematic diagrams help students with the conceptual component of thinking. (PR)

Describes the author's computer-based program for a subduction-zone-earthquake exercise. Instructions for conducting the activity and obtaining the program from the author are provided. Written in IBM QuickBasic. (PR)

Offers activities for educating middle school students regarding the importance of lifestyle. Activities cover eating patterns, physical exercise, and potentially hazardous behaviors. (MDH)

Illustrated are five classroom projects about the relationship between weight and size in animals. Background information and procedures are provided. Ten extension activities are suggested. (CW)

Presents the "mine to my home" concept (explore-mine-process-consume-recycle). Provides a large, color poster and many activities for teaching this concept. (PR)