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)

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 study investigates student learning in science center exhibitions as a form of informal education and examines intrinsic, instrumental, and situational student motivation. Subjects (N=130) consisted of 6 comprehensive school classes of 7th graders in the greater Helsinki area. The design of the study was quasi-experimental with two…

This report is a summary of experience gained on international study tours and conferences about ways to increase young people's interest in science and technology and to change girls' attitudes towards technology by presenting the subject in a more interesting way. The document begins with some general thoughts about the significance of…

The Environmental Studies Center Outdoor Science program should represent a continuation of the county science curriculum. However, science teachers were insufficiently involved and generally unprepared to conduct effective classroom follow-up activities with students upon returning from outdoor field excursions sponsored by the Environmental…

This report describes a program designed to improve science achievement among students in grades 4-6 in a New Hampshire school. The areas of improvement included physical, earth, and life sciences. Analysis of the problem indicated a need for improved teaching techniques and for additional materials related to the instructional strategies. The…

This report describes the kinds of preparation and continual staff development elementary school teachers need to help them acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to foster science learning. In addition, the conditions and support needed to create an environment where good science teaching can flourish are discussed. Chapters included are:…

Intended for the staffs of museums, zoos, and other science related centers, this manual is a step by step guide to establishing a rural science outreach and education program. Based on the experiences of the New Mexico Rural Science Education Project (NMRSEP), this manual focuses on rural elementary schools and on earth and life sciences. Much of…

Discusses the establishment of a high school chemistry instrumentation center designed to retrain teachers, improve precollege preparation of high school chemistry students, and to make simple chemical instruments at a minimal cost. (TW)

Describes activities of the nine Centers and one Day Care Center (in England and Wales) sponsored by the Field Studies Council. Focuses on inservice teacher education courses and center-run courses in environmental subjects. Includes a sample outline for a one-week course, indicating exercises/principles and instructional strategies for each day.…

A voluntarily used resource room has been shown to be an effective and reasonably inexpensive mechanism whereby attitudinal levels of students in traditionally taught introductory geology courses can be maintained at the same level as in nontraditional courses, without requiring large-scale revision or restructuring of traditionally taught…

Describes an effort of a library and a school system in which an educational resource science and mathematics enrichment center was created to combat the underrepresentation of minorities in science and technology-related careers. Explains classes at the center, inservice, teacher education, informal use of the center, and additional programs. (RT)

Describes a center for education, research, and passive recreation in wetland settings operated by a community conservation organization in cooperation with the state and a local university. Discusses the philosophy, on-site programs (formal and nonformal), the outreach program, and community involvement in ornithological research of the center.…