Describes a teaching exercise used to demonstrate the importance of context in studying the ecology of animals. Uses the game of chess to examine the relationship between information and context and as an analogy with ecology. Discusses procedures, examples of results, and insights gained from this activity. (CW)

Reviews a software package, "Mitosis-Meiosis," available for Apple II or IBM computers with colorgraphics capabilities. Describes the documentation, presentation and flexibility of the program. Rates the program based on graphics and usability in a biology classroom. (CW)

Presents an algorithm for solving problems related to multiple allelic frequencies in populations at equilibrium. Considers sample problems and provides their solution using this tabular algorithm. (CW)

This article presents a variety of topics discussed in this column and at a biology teachers' workshop concerning the quality and value of lab techniques used for teaching high school biology. Topics included are Drosophila salivary glands, sea urchins, innovations, dyes and networking. (CW)

Provided are background information, equipment lists, and procedures for four activities for teaching aquatic ecology. Activities include "The Aquatic Food Chain Game"; "Two-Liter Aqua-Vivariums"; "A Sealed World"; and "Weaving a Web: Evaluation." (CW)

Describes a science fiction writing project for ninth-grade physical science classes. Provides some examples of science fiction stories written by the students. Selects grammar, punctuation, science content, sentence structure, and originality as the criteria of grading. (YP)

Described is an integrated investigation to study interdependence among ants. The instructional sequences and results of this activity are provided. A matrix is given which details the content covered in this investigation. (CW)

Contains articles on digestive enzymes in grasshoppers; bird and badger observation; reactions between hydrochloric acid and sodium carbonate solutions; observing the migration of ions; pupil's heating skills (Bunsen burners); photolysis experimentation; capillary kinetics; experience with trireme; connection circuits; special relativity; a…

Describes the philosophy, development, content structure, and general instructional strategy of BioCom, an introductory biology curriculum for the heterogeneously mixed high school science classroom. Discusses recent recommendations by national commissions and science education research and similarities and differences between BioCom and ChemCom.…

Using science from the classroom, a teacher involves students in variety of explorations to identify safe foods from outdoors. These activities culminate in a Wild Plant and Beast Feast day, where the students have an opportunity to share their new cuisine and recipes with classmates and teachers. Tips on the successful development and…

Using socks with colored bands, a teacher makes mitosis and meiosis fun and meaningful for students. Asserts that during extension activities students used the aforementioned exercise as a springboard to better understand the phases of the cell cycle of Allium root tips, whitefish blastula, and Lillium anthers. (ZWH)

Textbook-worksheet, traditional laboratory, and problem-solving treatments produced no significant differences in achievement by gender or treatment and no difference in perception by gender, but did produce a significant difference in perception by treatment in (n=268) students, grades 7-8. (21 references) (Author/MKR)

Describes 8 math/science integrated activities in which students will be able to assemble periodic, reflectional symmetry, 5- and 10-fold rotational, and Penrose patterns. (MKR)

Critical and creative thinking lessons were designed and presented to 20 biology students in a rural high school. Student attitudes toward critical thinking activities improved significantly after activities involving experimentation, discrepant events, student questioning, ethical dilemmas, and divergent and critical thinking. Includes examples…

Presents instructions and schematic diagrams for an activity that allows students to discover the relationship between electricity and magnetism. Students draw conclusions and form hypotheses regarding their observations. Suggestions for further study are provided for "real world" experiences by students. (ZWH)