In this article, the authors describe an activity developed to assist students with constructing their own understanding of Earth's history and provide questions to help teach the geologic time scale. The lesson is aligned to the following National Science Education Standards: Science as Inquiry, Earth's History, and Nature of Science. While…

Introduces lesson plans on cycles designed for middle school students. Activities include: (1) "Boiling and Evaporation"; (2) "Experimenting with Evaporation"; (3) "Condensation and the Water Cycle"; and (4) "Understanding Cycles". Explains the mathematical applications of cycles. (YDS)

Introduces a unit on the brain and learning styles in which students become aware of their own cognitive styles. Studies the connection between the three senses--sight, touch, and hearing--and three types of learning styles--visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. (YDS)

Uses a teaching approach in which students prepare their own physics activity lesson plans and use them in class with other students. (YDS)

This article provides a science lesson for the middle school level, the metric system is used for all methods of measurement. The example lesson utilizes edible fruit as the real-world focus and offers ideas for additional lessons and the integration of disciplines beyond mathematics. This lesson requires students to handle, examine, and possibly…

Introduces an activity involving Orson Welles' radio broadcast of the "War of the Worlds" to teach concepts on planets. Provides a lesson plan for grades 5-8 on "War of the Worlds". (YDS)

Discusses the potential contribution of GPS and related Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to education. Provides resources for teachers to plan a lesson on exploring with the help of a GPS device in order to increase students' awareness of their surroundings and broaden understanding of their place in the world. (KHR)

Explores role playing as a unique and amusing way of instruction. Describes how to use this method to teach about cells and atoms. (YDS)

Presents lesson plans on bread making using a student-centered approach and process skills. Includes designing the experiment, investigation, and data collection. (YDS)

Presents a two-part activity which gives middle-level students concrete experiences with two different aspects of the concept of diffusion. (MKR)

Integrates math and science through pressure and weight investigations using dancers' feet. Examines pressure by exploring the pressure exerted by a dancer standing on her toes, and investigates weight and measurement. Makes suggestions for assessment. (SAH)

Introduces an activity in which students learn principles of force and motion, systems, and simple machines by exploring the best position of the dogs on the dashboard. Includes a sample lesson plan written in the five instructional models: (1) engagement; (2) exploration; (3) explanation; (4) elaboration; and (5) evaluation. (KHR)

Describes a science lesson that provides students with hands-on experience explaining the principle of buoyancy. (KHR)

Describes an activity in which students apply the scientific method as they explore each step of crystal growing. Students select variables, record daily observations, and participate in discussions about the differences in crystal formation. Crystal recipe and procedures are provided. (DDR)

Describes a science activity that employs the egg as the focus of a discussion about similarities between different cultures and objects in a science demonstration. (KHR)