Explores high school student's postinstructional knowledge about mass, volume, weight, and density in terms of what students need to know to successfully solve academic physical science problems. Presents definitions of the concepts, discusses hypothesized knowledge deficiencies, and suggests implications for instructional design. (Contains 31…

Presents an activity in which students in grades 5-8 learn about snail reproduction by observing and charting the activities of land snails, freshwater snails, and slugs. Instructions to implement and extend the activity are provided. (MDH)

Describes two curriculum approaches used at a college as an alternative to traditional introductory science-survey courses. The first course is entitled "Nature of Science" and the second is "Current Research." (PR)

Describes a series of environmental education instructional units for grades K-6 developed by the Think Earth Consortium that cover topics such as conservation, pollution control, and waste reduction. Provides testimony from one sixth-grade teacher that field tested the second-grade unit. (MDH)

Describes a unit of study for elementary school science on bats. Students investigate the different types of bats; examine their behavior; find facts that other students are unlikely to know; write stories about bats; and examine the concept of echolocation, the means by which bats navigate. Suggests integrated activities for mathematics…

Integrating environmental education into the science curriculum helps students develop environmental knowledge and attitudes. Describes an exemplary eighth-grade environmental science class, cites other similar programs, and discusses the advantages of environmental science courses over traditional science courses. (MDH)

Describes a way to enhance student/instructor communication through regular student feedback on key concepts. Argues that examinations also serve this purpose but are too infrequent and that anonymous quizzes can be used effectively. (DDR)

Offers a critique of American schools to provide helpful insight to teachers, researchers, and reformers of national systems who struggle with deeply rooted cultural divisions. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

Recommends that numeracy be better coordinated and integrated across the curriculum and that teachers examine the image of mathematics presented to children. Discusses the value of eliciting children's ideas about and experiences with numbers and measuring. (DDR)

Explains how students are able to interact with a team of interplanetary scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) by using the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). Discusses the professional development component in detail. (DDR)

Lists the benefits of hands-on experiments that are both low-cost and high-tech. Details four examples which include the use of contact lenses and compact disks. (DDR)

Argues that there are only a few cases in which solubility and Ksp are related in a simple way. States that illustrations of the solubility product principle for one-to-one salts are adequate for students. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

Summarizes a study evaluating state standards in science. The treatment of evolution, which varies tremendously in quality from state to state, is discussed at length. In some states--Arizona for example--evolution is completely ignored in the life sciences. Highlights local political battles. Describes good evolution curricula in Connecticut,…

Explores reasons why some capable women enter engineering fields while others do not. Identifies highly significant variables associated with correct post-hoc classification of young engineering majors as opposed to humanities majors. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Compares the achievement in science for ninth grade students in China and the United States. Reveals a small difference between the two groups and presents a rationale for the comparison. Contains 31 references. (DDR)