Describes four main components of a constructivist science lesson or unit. A review of commonly used environmental education materials from six environmental education projects was conducted to look for these components. Parallels between teaching strategies used in environmental education and constructivist methods are discussed. (Contains 27…

A survey of adults that shows considerable misunderstanding of two major ideas--that there is no energy in fuels and burning involves two stages--is discussed. Proposed are fundamental changes in the way ideas about burning are introduced to children. (KR)

Describes instruction in language arts, mathematics, computers, physical education, sciences, and social studies at O'Farrell Community School. Notes that students are taught by interdisciplinary teams of six teachers. (PRA)

Reviews 38 recently published children's books in the categories of music, opera and dance, theater and film, the visual arts, architecture, crafts, and language. Offers a 105-item bibliography of books for a science curriculum to add to those reviewed in the December 1991 column. (MG)

Describes a term paper assignment where students are allowed to pick a topic that interests them based upon the course focus and course format. Authors have found that, if students are interested in a topic and it is relevant to them, some of the onerousness that students associate with writing can be significantly reduced. (PR)

Describes CD-ROM-based program called Joint Education Initiative that was started by U.S. Geological Survey. The culmination of the collaborative effort includes three compact discs and a teacher activity book. The discs contain several databases, geophysical data that can be superimposed over satellite images of North America, images from the…

Proposes the science demonstration of dissecting a cow's eye to integrate biology and physics in the study of optics and lenses. Reviews the anatomy of the eye, describes the visual process and covers topics as index of refraction of the cornea, microscopic receptors, the lens, and the retina. (MDH)

To prepare new international graduate students for assignments as teaching assistants, the University of Washington chemistry department worked with specialists in language, pedagogy, and chemistry to design a discipline-specific training program. The program's structure, participants, benefits and limitations, and effectiveness in its first year…

Discusses the essential electrical characteristics of a particular model of soldering gun. Presents four classroom demonstrations that utilize the soldering gun to test the following geometrics of wire loops as electromagnets: (1) the original tip; (2) a single circular loop; (3) a Helmholtz coil; and (4) the solenoid. (MDH)

Because concept maps are designed to find out what the learner knows about a subject and are, in effect, maps of cognition, this article synthesizes relevant facts, concepts, and principles from cartography and applies them to concept mapping. The metaphor of the map and its applicability for representing scientific concepts are discussed. (PR)

Describes the rationale and activities developed and tested by the Biology Critical Thinking project (BCT). Presents the project guidelines for developing activities, a list of skills selected as goals of BCT, instruments used in determining effectiveness of the activities, results of the pilot study, and a sample activity involving vitamins. (MDH)

This article reports on answers by children (grades 1-9, n=83) to oral and written questions concerning the phase change from liquid to gas. The development of concepts was followed, proceeding from concrete to abstract ideas. Many students were found to experience difficulties in problem solving even though they may have had the necessary level…

A study (n=631) of children's ideas on motion of objects is reported. On three items of a four-part questionnaire, responses changed as the children matured, passing through distinct, successive stages with respect to their conceptual understanding. If teaching strategies to overcome misconceptions are to be effective, they must be appropriate to…

Provides descriptions of how five teachers in various content areas (mathematics, art, French, physics. and English) at one high school in Illinois feel about the importance of writing. Explains how these teachers incorporate their belief into everyday instruction in their areas. (HB)

Presents activities that utilize balloons to encourage students to explore questions related to scientific concepts. Concepts explored include light, heat, charged ions, polarization, and the sense of smell. (MDH)