Presents performance assessments, written by a team of Wisconsin science teachers, designed to see if students know, have practiced, and are able to perform the skills associated with science problem solving. (JRH)

Presents the National Science Education Standards as an exceptionally well researched tool intended to assist teachers in curriculum development. Describes an activity that meets the standards and encourages students to work together. (JRH)

Summarizes comparisons of self-reported interest by gender and experimental condition for middle school students (n=101) who performed scientific experiments under conditions designed to vary across difficulty levels, social contexts, and scenarios of fantasy to realism. Findings indicate that boys were more attentive to aspects of experimental…

Presents a sequence of activities designed to allow eighth grade students to deal with one of the fundamental relationships that govern energy distribution. Activities guide students to measure light bulb brightness, discover the inverse square law, compare light bulb light to candle light, and measure sun brightness. (two references) (MCO)

An experiment accompanied by a series of writing exercises that engage students in activities that characterize scientific research is described. The exercise emphasizes experimental design and data analysis over technical manipulation. Possible issues for discussion and opportunities for collaboration and peer review are discussed. (KR)

Discusses the principles of magnetic levitation presented in the physics classroom and applied to transportation systems. Topics discussed include three classroom demonstrations to illustrate magnetic levitation, the concept of eddy currents, lift and drag forces on a moving magnet, magnetic levitation vehicles, levitation with permanent magnets…

Uses a projector, a prism, and two screens to demonstrate the composition of white light and detect color. (MDH)

Presents two experiments in which students examine the effects of touching and shaking on plant growth in common bush beans. (MDH)

Provided is an outline of laboratory activities involving a full year of student investigations of natural-resource ecology and an example of an activity, "Home Range Analysis." Objectives, background information, key vocabulary, skills, materials, procedures, extension activities, and evaluation of this three-lesson activity are discussed. (CW)

Explains the importance of introductory science courses and presents characteristics of exemplary courses. (PR)

Describes a simple and inexpensive, one-period activity to extract DNA to make the study of DNA less abstract. A microscope titration is used to determine when cells are ready for DNA extraction. (PR)

Describes an interesting field experiment examining the distribution and diversity of a single community using lichens and the animals living in them. Combining field experience and laboratory work reveals not only the biology of some unusual organisms, but also community ecology and diversity. (PR)

Presents an activity in which students investigate the formation of solid ammonium chloride aerosol particles to help students better understand the concept of acid rain. Provides activity objectives, procedures, sample data, clean-up instructions, and questions and answers to help interpret the data. (MDH)

Proposes as a unifying theme for high school biology the question of "how chromosomes determine what we are." Describes a sequence of lessons in which students learn about proteins, enzymes, and amino acids. Includes three dry laboratory exercises to demonstrate the DNA sequences for sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. (MDH)

Describes the use of Vee maps in helping students understand scientific investigations. (PR)