Describes activities that use Froot Loops breakfast cereal to help students master the concepts of valence electrons and chemical bonding and the implications of the duet and octet rules. Involves students working in groups to create electron dot structures for various compounds. (JRH)

Describes an activity designed to make the abstract concept of atomic structure somewhat concrete for students. (JRH)

Western states have long had their eye on the Great Lakes as a water source for irrigation and municipal supplies. Great Lakes states protect this water source and oppose any diversion that is not agreed upon by all Great Lakes states and provinces. This article presents a role-play activity simulation of a Great Lakes governors' conference. (MKR)

Describes the construction of a marshmallow catapult to investigate trajectory concepts. (MKR)

Presents an approach that attempts to use environmental education as a thread in the science methods course in teacher education. Describes the framework, strategies, and activities used. Discusses some of the difficulties that student teachers encounter in translating this approach to the practical level. Appendixes include some activities and…

Describes a technique that uses a helium neon laser, a steel rule, a wooden rule, and a piece of paper to measure the diameter of a hair using the diffraction of light. Details on technique, mathematics, and sources of error are provided. (DDR)

Discusses ideas for water rocket investigations. Highlights safety precautions that should be considered when using water rockets with soda bottles. (JRH)

Describes an activity for introducing elementary school students to the surprising Mobius band. Incorporates elements of experimentation and exposes the deceptively simple Mobius band as a rich resource for discovery. Provides an opportunity for young learners to participate in the process of scientific inquiry within a mathematical framework.…

Describes investigations in archaeoastronomy that combine modern archaeology with the mathematical precision of practical astronomy. Helps students develop an understanding of a society's astronomical systems which can lead to a knowledge of their religion, art, mathematics, writings, calendar, myths, and agricultural practices. (JRH)

Argues against a rule-based, algorithmic approach to measurement in introductory chemistry courses. Describes a learning activity that leads students to understand the need for rules and the application of those rules in measurement. (DDR)

Describes a game that can be used to teach students about the acidity of liquids and substances around their school and enable them to understand what pH levels tell us about the environment. Students collect samples and measure the pH of water, soil, plants, and other natural material. (DDR)

Describes an activity in which students use a bathroom scale and a long board to see how their weight changes on other planets and the moon. Materials list, procedures, tables of planet radii, comparative values, and gravitational ratios are provided. (DDR)

Explains that the focus of National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) is to engage students in science and engineering activities that explore the world of communication technology. Provides a description of some hands-on exploration materials available for activities related to the theme of NSTW 1997, and includes a sample activity, The Binary…

Presents activities for elementary students that lay the conceptual foundation for developing an understanding of heredity and identification. Uses analogies and firsthand experiences to demystify the science of DNA. (JRH)

Describes the experiences of children in a program that highlights the process of inquiry by allowing and encouraging children to raise questions, develop investigation strategies, formulate theories, and report findings in a variety of ways. Discusses the teacher's role in observing, respecting, and supporting children's work. (JRH)