Water chemistry is central to aquarium design, and it provides many potential applications for discussion in undergraduate chemistry and engineering courses. Marine aquaria and their life support systems feature many chemical processes. A life support system consists of the entire recirculation system, as well as the habitat tank and all ancillary…

For curriculum content-related reasons, inquiry activities can be difficult in classrooms unless the activities are approached in a manner that makes variations among student group findings understandable in the context of the study. Studies of individual animals and plant reactions to stimuli, such as insect exploratory behavior, allow the…

Finding hidden objects in space is a fundamental ability that has received considerable research attention from both a developmental and a comparative perspective. Tracking the rotational displacements of containers and hidden objects is a particularly challenging task. This study investigated the ability of 3-, 5-, 7-, and 9-year-old children and…

Testing sensory characteristics on herpetological species has been difficult due to a range of properties related to physiology, responsiveness, performance ability, and the type of reinforcer used. Using the Jacky lizard as a model, we outline a successfully established procedure in which to test the visual sensitivity to motion characteristics.…

Recent evidence suggests that rats require an intact hippocampus in order to recognize familiar objects when they encounter them again in a different context. The two experiments reported here further examined how changes in context affect rats' performance on the novel-object preference (NOP) test of object-recognition memory, and how those…

Dogs are indeed people's best friends. A majority of owners report that their dog is a "member of the family," and that acceptable canine behavior and optimal care are high priorities for them. The human-animal bond, the close connection between people and their pets, is forged by positive interactions, but unacceptable canine behaviors that…

Case studies are an excellent method for engaging middle school students in the current work of scientists. Students learn to think like scientists as they decide how to investigate the dilemma presented in the case study. This article describes one such case study, the Fish Kill Mystery, which takes place at a popular vacation spot--the beaches…

In this paper, we describe the outcomes of the first year of an intensive, urban ecology focused, summer program for urban high school youth. Students in our program conduct scientific investigations of their urban ecosystems while exploring potential career options in science and technology fields. In conducting their investigations, the students…

Reported is a national survey of laboratory animal facilities and resources conducted by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR) at the request of the Animal Resources Program Branch of the NIH Division of Research Resources. Two earlier surveys (1964 and 1970) had been conducted by ILAR at the request of NIH. Since these reports were…

This report describes National Institute of Health policies on animal welfare, the 1976 amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, and relevant portions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is divided into four sections on the following topics: (1) laboratory animal management; (2) laboratory animal quality and health; (3) institutional policies;…

Discusses several points that teachers should consider when planning to keep animals in the classroom. Selecting and obtaining the animals, safety and legal considerations, food and feeding, water, housing, day-to-day care, and what to do with animals when a project or school year is over are among the areas examined. (JN)

This booklet argues against the use of school bird-hatching projects, citing a variety of environmental and ethical concerns about such projects. Alternative resources and suggestions for alternative activities are presented. (WRM)

Described is a science program in Hawaii for high school students in which students are trained in a variety of tasks at a local zoo during the morning hours and then return to campus for coursework. The program offers opportunities to develop responsibility and self-esteem. (SA)

At beginning of the article, the author has a brief introduction of basic conditions in pastoral areas of Imperial Town, and interprets ethnic relations among Han, Tibetan, Mongolian, Yugur, Hui, Manchu and Tu mixed residence. After analysis of the internal and external factors that affect the specificity of pastoral education, the author…

Classification can serve as a tool for conceptualising ideas about vertebrates. Training enhances classification skills as well as sharpening concepts. The method described in this paper is based on the "hybrid-model" of comparison that proposes two independently working processes: associative and theory-based. The two interact during a…