Describes the main features, rationale, and goals of the Science, Math, and Social Studies Help (SMASSH) project which provides unified, mutually supportive educational experiences for elementary school children. Describes the learning cycle instructional approach, presents a brief background of the science concepts addressed in these lessons, and…

Describes an approach to the study of squid that helps students of all ages develop richer ideas about the structure of living things, how living things are adapted to their habitats, and how they interact with other organisms. Highlights include the external and internal features of the squid, squid statements and statistics, and writing…

Describes an integrated unit on bats and specifically addresses the National Science Education Standards. (Author/KHR)

Presents three experiments exploring aspects of the greenhouse effect. Topics and discussion includes radiation in energy transfer, emissivity and absorptivity, the irrelevance of reflectivity, a digression on insulators and convection, climate change, and radiative energy balance. (MCO)

Describes historic aspects of color or coloring. Presents activities involving spectral colors identified by Sir Isaac Newton and others involving dyes and dyeing. (MKR)

Presents lab exercises in which students use the microscope to study cells. Describes these activities as allowing students to work independently and become more proficient at microscope use. Students also gain a deeper understanding of the more invisible world of science. (Author/KHR)

Presents a global warming activity and extensions that direct students in visualizing changes that may occur as a result of the predicted sea-level rise. Includes a map of site-specific U.S. sea-level changes. (MCO)

Describes various topics which can be used to organize lesson plans for elementary school activities concerning the theory of light. Lists general and specific objectives for the lesson plans. (MLH)

Presents a classroom activity wherein students use dilution techniques to gain an understanding of small measurements such as parts per million, billion, or trillion. Includes activity extensions, two lists of analogies for thinking about the size of small quantities, and questions leading to further investigations. (six references) (MCO)

Presents 2 activities for students aged 8-12 in which students determine (1) whether or not earthworms can see white light; and (2) how an earthworm moves without legs. (MDH)

Presents two experiments about ozone related topics. The first experiment examines the effect of sunlight on newsprint and relates this to human skin. The second demonstrates how chemicals, and specifically chlorofluorocarbons travel through the air. (MCO)

Presents an activity in which students make a simulated solar panel to learn about the principles behind energy production using solar panels. Provides information about how solar panels function to produce energy. (MCO)

Integrates science and social studies in several activities that study weathering caused by the freezing and thawing of rocks, wind erosion, and the effects of weathering on tombstones. Cites the possibility of these activities leading to an interdisciplinary exploration of pollution, customs, and populations. (MCO)

Presents a sequence of activities designed to allow eighth grade students to deal with one of the fundamental relationships that govern energy distribution. Activities guide students to measure light bulb brightness, discover the inverse square law, compare light bulb light to candle light, and measure sun brightness. (two references) (MCO)

Presents an activity in which students in grades 5-8 learn about snail reproduction by observing and charting the activities of land snails, freshwater snails, and slugs. Instructions to implement and extend the activity are provided. (MDH)