Presents classroom activities designed to teach elementary students about soil, seeds, and sprouts and to guide them in gardening. The article also includes extension activities, home projects, and a student journal page. Curriculum materials are listed. (SM)

Within the field of science education, there remains little agreement as to the definition and characteristics of classroom inquiry. The emerging emphasis on scientific practices in science education reform discourse is underpinned by a need to better articulate the constituent elements of inquiry-based science. While a small number of…

Discusses the problems of adapting science curriculum materials from one country to another and from one language to another. The history of science curriculum adaptation and a systematic approach to curriculum adaptation are also included. (HM)

U.S. AND CANADIAN SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT EARTH SCIENCE FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL. MAJOR SECTIONS ARE DEVOTED TO ASTRONOMY, GEOLOGY, METEOROLOGY, OCEANOGRAPHY, AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. EACH SECTION CONTAINS LISTS OF (1) DEGREE-GRANTING DEPARTMENTS IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, (2) GOVERNMENT…

This paper outlines a project for developing a comprehensive volume devoted to concrete teaching ideas, resources, strategies, and activities relating to science education for elementary school students and teachers. An extensive bibliography of existing references on science activities and resources is included. (SL)

Described is a mouse cage that can be built, at a cost of about $15, by intermediate-aged elementary students. (BB)

Describes a one-week unit in Earth science for the elementary science classroom. The concepts included are land formation, erosion, the water cycle, and human impact on the Earth's surface through planning and building a massive outdoor drainage model. (Author/DS)

A solar project for sixth grade students is described and diagrams and photographs are included. Construction of four solar collectors is suggested as a valuable learning experience. (SA)

Presents activities on the science of garbage to help elementary students learn to save the earth. A rotting experiment teaches students what happens to apple slices sealed in plastic or buried in damp soil. Other activities include reading stories on the subject and conducting classroom composting or toxic materials projects. (SM)

The Government's recently introduced national strategy for primary schools in England and Wales, "Excellence and enjoyment" (DfES, 2003), encourages teachers to be creative and innovative in how they teach the curriculum, whilst "All our futures" (NACCCE, 1999) urges teachers to look for creativity in all aspects of the…

This book is provided as a helpful tool in ensuring a successful and satisfying elementary school science fair. The book clarifies the roles of teachers, parents, and students and provides information about types of projects, practical tips, and possible topics for research. Included are short bibliographies, sample forms (which are teacher…

In a world where science has become too confined to books and too reliant on technology, and science fairs have been taken over by parents, this paper offers suggestions to help young people have actual hands-on experience with nature. Topics include soil formation; ants; earthworms; temperature; weather predictions; rain acidity; physical science…

Discusses approaches to science projects designed to eliminate negative reactions, improve topic selection and problem identification, and create excitement. These include creating classroom resource centers, bulletin boards, and student committees to help students develop their projects by narrowing broad topics to specific problem statements and…

Describes a science activity designed to stimulate creative thinking in children. The project, entitled Egg Loft,'' encourages students to devise methods for lifting an egg above 20 feet and returning it safely to ground. A number of the successful devices created and built by children are described. (JR)

Describes several activities which can be used, by the teacher, as class demonstrations or projects to stimulate student interest in weather phenomena. (JR)