This book provides ideas for table exhibits for grades 3-6 in nine different subject areas. These areas are: marine life; nature in the backyard; the history and uses of flags; impressionist painters and art; winter festivals around the world; fibers and fabrics; Native Americans in touch with the land; sugar and chocolate; and keeping the earth,…

The major focus of this document is to report the current status of the Iowa-ASSIST program, a statewide education improvement model aimed at helping students, teachers, administrators, and citizens to improve science teaching and science offerings in their communities and schools. Described are procedures for establishing 15 regional service…

Describes a program in which teenage students serve as the explainers of the displays in a museum. Reports on a study designed to determine whether such programs can significantly affect students' social development, their attitudes toward science, and their interest in science, teaching, and museums. (TW)

Provides a descriptive listing of museums and science exhibits that are essentially participatory and playful in nature for young children. Offerings in the areas of natural history, museums, science and technology centers and specifically children's museums are outlined. Educational benefits are discussed. (ML)

Describes the history of, and research activities and current problems at Tsukuba Science City, Japan's new municipal complex of research laboratories and educational facilities. About 30 percent of Japan's government research laboratories, as well as Tsukuba University, are located in the complex. (JN)

Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California at Berkeley, which conducts preservice and in-service teacher training programs and develops curriculums in science and mathematics, is devoting increasing attention to the role of science centers in informal education. Examples of the Hall's research projects in many different fields are…

Examines a cross-section of craft knowledge and research-based literature of science learning beyond the classroom. Describes informal science education programs, and discusses implications for science teaching, focusing on the importance of informal science learning for children and in-service and preservice teachers. Proposes a model for…

This article discusses the conceptual framework, methods courses, student teaching component, and evaluation results of the science teacher education program at University of Iowa. (IAH)

SMART (Science, Math, and Relevant Technology) Connections, an afterschool offshoot of a program addressing the scarcity of women in science, provides low-income children and children of color, both boys and girls, with hands-on science experience. Efforts continue to be made to ensure that the program works equally for boys as for girls. (CJS)

A university, medical school, and science center along with numerous K-12 public schools, university departments, local businesses, funded grant projects, and federal, state and private grants all work in concert to produce a unique partnership focusing on outreach to public school teachers and students. This article shares the history, work,…

This guide is designed for educators planning trips to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The first part provides tips on organizing a school visit and information on the aquarium lobby and exhibits. These exhibits are: (1) Maryland: Mountains to the Sea; (2) Surviving through Adaptation; (3) North Atlantic to the Pacific; (4) South American Rain…

Determined the effect of using previsit instructional materials on student learning for a museum field trip experience. Ten earth science classes were assigned to experimental (instruction over field trip) and control (normal class instruction) groups. Found previsit instructional materials significantly increased student test scores. (DS)

In Bossier Parish, Louisiana, a part of the bayou country is used as a classroom and laboratory for the district's schools. Through collecting live specimens and asking questions of the tour guide instructor, students (grades K-12) learn about science and the environment and enjoy the nature center's recreation facilities. (CT)

Presents and integrates findings from selected research and evaluation studies of informal science learning in different settings such as school-based field trips, student projects, community-based science programs, visits to museums and zoos, the press, and electronic media. Contains 91 references. (DDR)

Discusses the necessities of regional resource centers for K-12 levels. Provides some examples of centers and describes their activities. Suggests three conditions for the success of a center. (YP)