Introduces an inquiry-based lab design in which students try to find evidence on a particular problem. Investigates the effects of decreases in the pH level on the environment. Includes students' hypotheses and research results. (YDS)

Explains what successful scaffolding requires and discusses three problems that teachers have when using scaffolding. (YDS)

Explains modeling as a teaching approach and presents two examples of modeling, one example of poor modeling and one example of good modeling. (YDS)

Presents an activity that uses basketball shoes to introduce the concept of friction. Discusses setting up, friction fundamentals, and fun friction facts. (JRH)

Points out the importance of motivation in student learning and the difficulties of maintaining motivation among students. Makes some suggestions for keeping students motivated. (YDS)

Discusses strategies for overcoming common student misconceptions. Strategies include using pretests followed by teaching techniques planned to contrast new information with students' previous ideas; using pretests followed by time for students to question ideas and test their knowledge; and giving students a real-world task that can only be…

Integrates story telling into a science activity on the density of liquids in order to increase student interest. Shows the relationship between mass and volume ratio and how they determine density. Includes teacher notes. (YDS)

Presents hands-on activities to teach about the causes and consequences of strokes. (YDS)

Describes the three phases of the learning cycle (exploration, conceptual invention, and expansion) and explains how they can be used in educational assessment. The use of semantic mapping, concept mapping, and mental modeling in the evaluation of student learning is described. (PR)

Uses questioning techniques to teach about caloric consumption and weight gain. Starts with defining questions about calories and includes the stages of measuring calories, analyzing data, and conducting inquiry research. Includes directions for the experiment. (YDS)

Describes an alternative assessment approach to measure the knowledge and skills of students at the end of a hands-on, process-, and concept-oriented science program. Four segments of the evaluation are: general knowledge, laboratory skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and teacher-specific assessments. Emphasizes retention of…

Presents science investigations that involve some challenging mathematics related to proportional reasoning. Can be embedded in thematic, interdisciplinary units to reinforce understanding of specific proportions, provide practice in proportional thinking, or assess abilities in solving problems that involve proportions. (JRH)

Describes the Envision Project to demonstrate how teachers designed and conducted their own study, and presented the results. Identifies project ideas for environmental problems with a site survey through the Internet, aerial photographs, and maps. (YDS)

Presents an activity using logic mystery stories that students solve by asking yes-or-no questions. Helps students discover the reasoning behind good questioning and provides for practice with instant feedback from the teacher. Includes sample stories. (MKR)

Makes recommendations for new science teachers about what to do in the middle level classroom. Advocates being creative in the classroom and in finding resources. (YDS)