Why did you decide on science as a career? For many, it was the inspiration of a mentor or model--an explorer who could communicate excitement and a sense of adventure to others. During the school year, teachers take on that role of motivator for students. But as they recharge over summer break, it is great to treat themselves again to the stories…

When does a scientific mentality begin, and why? Vertebrate paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope (1840-1897), known for Cope's Rule--that organisms of a species tend to get larger over time--recorded observations of "Ichthyosaurus," an extinct marine reptile, at the tender age of 6. He was obviously an inquisitive child. What about students of…

Research Experiences for Teachers (RET), funded by the National Science Foundation, offer teachers an opportunity to participate in current, hands-on scientific research in laboratories across the United States. These experiences provide an avenue for teachers to understand the process of research and gain insight on emerging technologies with the…

A high school senior describes her adventures as part of an eight-week glacier expedition in Alaska and British Columbia. Also includes information on how to obtain unique summer enrichment opportunities for teachers and students. (ZWH)

Describes a statewide co-operative College-School Science Program (NSF supported) using Introductory Physical Science as a means to improve physical science teaching in grades 8 and 9. Teachers received summer and inservice training regarding I.P.S. inquiry methods, and behavioral objectives. (LS)

Reports on two science field trips which inservice teachers completed through the Earthwatch organization. Participants learned about microbial mats and evolutionary theory on a coastal expedition and about archeology on a dig in the Mediterranean. Teachers returned with firsthand experience of scientific investigation and renewed enthusiasm for…

Describes a six week summer course for junior high school students designed to acquaint them with one of the many branches of oceanographic studies. (PB)

Describes a three-week summer program in environmental education and field botany for inservice and prospective teachers at the University of North Carolina. Stressing that the aesthetic viewpoint is one often overlooked by educators and scientists, this article reasons that self-awareness is a positive outcome of this approach. (CS)

Described is a summer institute for secondary science teachers designed to integrate interdisciplinary wastewater management units into science courses. (SL)

Across the United States, only 10% of all teachers are members of minority groups, indicating that teachers are far less diverse than the current population of students they teach. The West Virginia Health Sciences and Technology Academy, a math and science afterschool program and summer institute, was created specifically to reach out to…

Programs should emphasize application, stress useful work, encourage student participation in planning, cross discipline barriers, and relate to real, human, and social problems. They should accommodate differences in student interests and abilities, teacher preference, and local conditions. (DF)

Describes activities designed to give summer school students an appreciation of the value of an integrated approach to scientific investigation. (JRH)

Describes a mentoring program developed to reinforce career counseling sessions at a five-week summer institute where students learn about science, mathematics, computer science, and language arts. The program resulted in a convenient method to determine the overall institute effectiveness. (DH)