Provides rationale for and description of an acid rain game (designed for two players), a problem-solving model for elementary students. Although complete instructions are provided, including a copy of the game board, the game is also available for Apple II microcomputers. Information for the computer program is available from the author.…

Describes school science activities in which students race model cars built from mousetraps, construct inventions using discarded junk, and compete in an egg dropping contest. (SL)

This article presents a laboratory approach to teaching the scientific method. Students are given a problem that can be solved by testing their hypothesis in the laboratory. The exercise is designed to introduce scientific methods to junior high students. A sample student data form is included in the article. (MA)

Describes problem-solving activities in the Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) and Elementary Science Study (ESS) programs. Indicates that these curricula serve as excellent sources of activities to develop and improve their students' problem-solving skills. (Author/JN)

Describes a science laboratory experiment that can be done at home with the assistance of parents or older siblings. It is offered as an alternative to reading assignments or answering questions for homework. Parental assistance is encouraged. (SA)

This article is a reproducible page for students in grades four through six. The stated objective is the student will organize information about unfamiliar animals and infer other information. Students read clues about five newly discovered species and use a chart to organize this information in a more meaningful way. (PR)

Describes how teachers can use wheels of tricycles, bicycles, and trains to stimulate children with mathematics, relative position, and engineering concepts. Techniques are offered for measuring circumference of a bicycle wheel, gear ratios, and pedal wheel circumferences. Comparative data are given for various sized wheels. (Author/SA)

Presents a Project WET water education activity. Students analyze public values regarding water issues to help them evaluate approaches to managing water resources. Students recognize that people have different values, evaluate strengths and weaknesses of proposed solutions, and examine the purpose of diverse advocacy groups. (LZ)

Presented are four activities which integrate mathematics and science activities involving problem-solving skills. Topics of activities include derivation of pi (3.14), determining the volume of a bell jar, estimation skills, supplementary exercises using geometric and metric system tables, general laboratory exercises, and supplemental problems.…

Describes an extended problem-solving activity utilizing drift-bottles that encourages students to deduce probable and great-circle drift-bottle routes, to use logic based on unit calculations, and to estimate the distance traveled and the minimum velocity of these drift-bottles. Includes materials needed, learning objectives, procedures,…

Describes the construction of durable, inexpensive and large sand-hourglasses for use in controlled experiments that allow students to observe, infer, measure, record data, and predict. This hands-on activity is designed to take place over a three-day interval. Includes materials needed, techniques, procedures, follow-up activities, and resource…

Presents a problem-solving activity in which students determine the effects on the water level in a pool when rocks are removed from a boat floating in the pool and placed into the water. Students discuss the problem, design an experiment to test solutions, conduct the experiment, and draw conclusions. (MDH)

Listed with examples are six levels of thinking. The design of lessons to teach higher order thinking is discussed. A sample lesson on spontaneous generation which uses this method is provided. (CW)

Discussed is a way to develop an integrated unit based on a fictional book. An example for constructing a unit is included as well as activities from units that consider birds, volcanoes, and measurement. Each unit contains a summary, topic areas, content-related words, activities, related books and references. (KR)

Illustrated are five classroom projects about the relationship between weight and size in animals. Background information and procedures are provided. Ten extension activities are suggested. (CW)