In this article, second graders learn the basics of engineering through an exploration of magnetic levitation (maglev) technology. The author designed and taught the lessons to a class of 26 students enrolled in a month-long summer science program. The maglev lessons took place over three mornings (15 minutes for the first lesson and 40 minutes…

Informal science opportunities provide authentic experiences to stimulate students' interests in science and engineering and foster their curiosity through problem-based investigations. STEMulate Engineering Academy was designed to provide children (Grades 3-5) engineering opportunities and offer teachers a unique professional development…

For many children, summertime is free time. For parents, summer often means searching for structured learning opportunities for their children. For teachers, summer can mean heading back to school for professional development. The elementary science institute for teachers that the authors conduct includes a summer science camp for children. Last…

The summer provides a unique opportunity for children to further their interests in science, especially science in the out-of-doors. Once school is out for the summer, there is seemingly unlimited time, with no strict curriculum guidelines to follow. For students with a passion for the out-of-doors, summer science camps and school-based summer…

Science explores nature and the most authentic way of introducing science is creating learning environments in the nature and let children make their own discoveries in the nature as real scientists. Science camps would be an opportunity for this kind of science education. This study introduces a science camp and reports findings regarding its…

Describes a successful two-week summer program for children in grades four through six of above average ability. Discusses the purposes and syllabus for the program. Provides a summary of a typical daily agenda and discusses events that occurred during the two-week period. (CW)

Discusses aims of and proposed programs at the Institute for Chemical Education. Aims include developing creative ideas to convey chemical knowledge, improving interdisciplinary links, and addressing critical issues in chemical education. One program proposed is designed to help science teachers at all levels develop K-12 chemistry supplements.…

This source book describes 107 projects administered by the U.S. Department of Education under the Pre-College Teacher Development in Science (PTDS) Program from 1980-82. Under the program, grants of up to $50,000 were made to colleges, universities, and museums to assist them in providing opportunities to elementary teachers for continuing…

To meet the need for improved science instruction in rural schools, a project to identify, honor, and provide training for outstanding rural science teachers in grades 6-9 was designed cooperatively by the National Science Foundation, Kansas State University, Kansas Cosmosphere and Discovery Center, and rural school districts. In order to create a…