Discusses the value of work experience for A-level students and describes some novel student placements. (JRH)

Describes the Multidisciplinary Studies program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth that provides advanced coursework in the sciences without requiring that a student major in a specific science. Focuses on the fields of environmental science, cognitive science, gerontology, and environmental psychology. (JRH)

Describes an environmental-science program for talented, rural, middle school students including the background, rationales, and collaboration that made the program possible. Positive results related to the effects of this program on student involvement, follow-up, and product development over eight program years are reported. (Author/CR)

One potential asset to science learning that is often overlooked is the presence of learning institutions, other than schools, located in metropolitan areas. These "informal" learning institutions include universities, libraries, museums, science centers, and similar places. These organizations have the potential to provide resources, in the form…

In September 2002, Salter's Nuffield Advanced Biology ("SNAB") began a three year pilot phase in schools, representing the first major innovation in UK biology education since the 1970s. One part of the AS level coursework was a report on an "Issue of Biological Interest". This could be based on an actual visit outside school…

This "case study" details how food science was introduced into the classrooms of a typically underrepresented population. James Sarakatsannis, an 8th grade physical science teacher, was planning a unit that would use fast food to teach science to his classes, when he came across the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) website and a…

Describes research on the effectiveness of "3-2-1 CONTACT," a Public Broadcasting System children's television science series. In the study, 15 of the shows designed for the series' second season were pilot-tested with fourth and fifth graders (N=192) by examining changes in student knowledge using pre- and post-tests. Conclusions are…

This document reviews the Pacific Region Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (PJSHS) program for 2003-2004 which is a 10-month, precollege student research program held in Japan. The theme is AtmosphereThe Other Ocean. The program includes a one-week symposium of student delegates who have completed research projects in the sciences or have…

Discusses the nature of curiosity in students and ways to stimulate it. Includes a checklist to help collect information about student curiosity levels and offers suggestions to develop a high degree of curiosity in students. Suggestions include using variety, novelty, change, and discrepant events. (Author/JN)

Describes the project of a fourth- and fifth-grade class in simulating a moon walk. Teams consisted of the astronauts, the life support team, the flight program team, the communications team, the scientific team, and the construction team. Their visit to the Marshall Space Flight Center is also described. (SA)

Describes national and local activities done during National Chemistry Week including chemistry demonstrations, shopping center exhibits, contests, and museum exhibits. Discusses the supplementary material about chemistry in selected editions of 16 newspapers, "Solution for the Future." Presents many pictures showing those activities.…

Discusses a research project of testing detergents that resulted from students' classroom observations of and questions about water pollution and suds. Outlines procedures and responsibilities necessary for conducting the experiment. A sample student data sheet is included. (RT)

Discusses the standards by which professors are evaluated for advancement and the reasons why these standards are antithetical to fostering a good learning environment for students. Gives some insights into what can be done to create an atmosphere in which teaching is not the lowest priority. (RT)

Finding ways to demonstrate microscopic phenomena and contending with life science students' lack of interest in physical principles are two problems in laboratory courses. Describes a clinical laboratory test for parasite infection that can be used to effectively solve both of them. (RT)

Although the microscope is a basic tool in both physical and biological sciences, it is notably absent from most elementary school science programs. One reason teachers find it challenging to introduce microscopy at the elementary level is because children can have a hard time connecting the image of an object seen through a microscope with what…