The "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") emphasizes content and scientific practices, but what does this actually look like in a classroom? The "NGSS" integrates scientific and engineering practices with core ideas and crosscutting concepts, merging the three dimensions from "A Framework for K-12 Science…

Presents an activity that demonstrates a crude method of mapping the sea floor and helps students appreciate some basic considerations that scientists face in working with a project of this type. Demonstrates the logistics of teamwork and the effects of time and cost limitations on science projects. (JRH)

This is the first program in the Science Safari series produced by the Fairfax Network of the Fairfax County Public Schools. The series and the accompanying print materials are designed to show students a broad spectrum of animal life, introduce students to a variety of people who work with animals, and help students become aware of the important…

This book emphasizes children's learning and is filled with recipes and formulas. The goal of this book is to connect students to the past, provide links to nature, show the importance of science in everyday life, and help students see themselves as part of a global community. Many of the recipes and formulas in this book have multicultural…

Provides simple instructions for establishing an herbarium, in which the collecting and classifying of dried plants preserves a vital record of the status and variety of the flora found within particular locations at specific times. (Author/JJK)

This book contains over 30 investigations and activities that can be used or adapted for science fair projects. It outlines basic techniques and procedures that can be applied to zoological investigations. Projects and activities described include: finding out how many different kinds of insects and other arthropods live in nearby fields and…

Many science educators emphasize the need and importance of hands- and minds-on education in science. This document provides numerous hands-on science activities for students and tips for parents and teachers to help take some of the stress out of hands-on projects. Some of the suggestions made to teachers are related to the following concerns:…

This issue of Exploratorium Magazine focuses on the topic robotics. It explains how to make a vibrating robotic bug and features articles on robots. Contents include: (1) "Where Robot Mice and Robot Men Run Round in Robot Towns" (Ray Bradbury); (2) "Robots at Work" (Jake Widman); (3) "Make a Vibrating Robotic Bug" (Modesto Tamez); (4) "The Robot…

Outlines the steps necessary to conduct a science fair project and examines two specific examples of how a basic idea for a science fair topic can be followed to its completion. Provides examples of day-to-day operational science in a basic botany project and a lunar geography project. (JJK)

The goal of Project WILD, a K-12 interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife, is to assist learners of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. The purpose of…

Suggested are activities that might stimulate cognitive thought in students and which can be performed both in school and at home. (EB)

Animals Alive! is designed to help teachers develop an inquiry-oriented program for studying the animal kingdom in which, whenever possible, live animals are collected locally, studied, observed, and then released completely unharmed back into their natural habitats. By careful selection and modification of the chapter questions, activities, and…

The goal of Project WILD, a K-12 interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife, is to assist learners of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. This…

A unit on energy is a perfect opportunity to use an interdisciplinary approach with a range of grade levels. This blueprint describes the needs of one such program and covers developmental strategies step by step. Each activity is categorized according to grade level. Topics include: (1) "Getting Organized," which discusses selecting activities…