Discusses the reasons for introducing archaeology into the elementary classroom focusing on the cultures of North America. Offers wild maize, or corn, as one area of investigation into North American cultures providing books and Internet sites. Lists resources for archaeology education and lesson plans for exploring North American cultures though…

Describes "A Walk through Time," the "serious fun" project that evolved into a student-created living history event that incorporates various disciplines, especially social studies and language arts. Provides an assessment of the Screwen County Middle School in Georgia project and discusses the improved relationship between the…

Examines the catalogs of a random sample of 292 national and regional universities and liberal arts colleges to collect curriculum data on the prevalence of focused specialty versus general degrees in psychology and on the course requirements for the various degree options. Presents the findings and addresses the status of nongeneral degrees. (CMK)

Describes the development of a program for providing young girls at an all-girls school opportunities to problem solve by constructing their solutions using tools and materials unlikely to be part of their home or school experiences. The program combines analytical and problem solving skills with basic engineering concepts. Notes problems…

Adventure consultation for businesses has the power and the tools to foster creative genius and grow corporate soul, to counteract the gravitational pull of corporate normalcy, referred to as the "corporate hairball." As the adventure consultant industry grows, it must beware of choking on its own hairballs. Five warning signs of…

The Mansfield Outdoor Centre (Ontario) is a privately operated outdoor education center delivering school programs for grades 5-8. The philosophy that humans and the environment are interdependent and all life has inherent value is delivered via residential programs that immerse students in situations where living and learning are inseparable.…

Reports on the agenda of an exemplary teacher as she planned for and implemented a visit to an interactive science center by her class of 12-year-old boys. Describes activity in three sections: pre-visit preparation, post-visit activities and reflections, and during the visit. Focuses on the nature of student learning and participant teachers'…

Suggests gardening to help middle school students improve their problem solving and mental abilities. Focuses on the benefits of having a school nutrition garden, and indicates that students can learn about the importance of a healthy diet and share their peers' cultural heritage by growing ethnic foods. Recommends an animal garden to observe…

Describes activities that can be adapted for students in elementary to high school grade levels that link teaching about local government to the concept of community and provide starting points for project ideas centering on the active involvement of students, teachers, and local government officials. (CMK)

Artificial Intelligence for Technology, a distance learning course at the Open University, is based on a learning model that combines conceptualization, construction, and dialog. This allows a practical emphasis which has been difficult to implement in distance education. The course uses commercial software, real-world-based assignments, and a…

Describes initiatives such as project-based learning, student-generated examinations, and peer assessment that have been implemented at Queensland University of Technology to prepare graduates for professional practice and equip students with attributes for lifelong learning. Also states that assessment procedures should promote and reward the…

Discusses teaching argument using participatory action research (PAR), a recent phrase for the old idea of learning by practice. Describes the use of hypothetical cases that provide a context-rich series of overlapping issues, which involve students as principals, and which are addressed and resolved through reading, analysis of various arguments,…

Suggests ways in which adventure educators can use heritage interpretation in the wilderness setting to promote understanding of the history and significance of events, people, and objects linked to particular places. Factors to consider include creating interpretive lessons, training trip leaders to conduct them, and evaluating their effect on…

Measurement of the compositions and temperatures of H2O-NaCl brines in equilibrium with ice can be used as an easy in-class experimental determination of a liquidus. This experiment emphasizes the symmetry of the behavior of brines with regard to the minerals ice and halite and helps to free students from the conceptual tethers of one-component…

Explains the problem of mission for nature centers. The nature center must organize itself to become recognized and treasured for preserving a precious piece of habitat and it must know the plants and animals that inhabit the specific place in which the nature center resides. (PVD)