The Periodic Table of Elements is a valuable resource for chemists and all kinds of STEM professionals. However, it can be initially overwhelming and intimidating to some students. This hands-on lesson introduces abstract concepts in the periodic table through a tangible experience with simple toys and household objects. Students collaborate and…

Reports on a study that explored the types of questions that students ask for open-ended science investigations. Discusses how teachers can help students identify problems and pose questions that are feasible for investigation. (Contains 55 references.) (DDR)

Asserts that young children need help translating scientific theory into experiences that involve their senses. Provides age-appropriate, literature-based activities for exploring concepts and vocabulary in the areas of plant life cycles, animal life cycles, ocean ecology, and human growth development. Suggests specific works of children's…

Defines adaptive inquiry and argues for employing this method which allows lessons to be shaped in response to student needs. Illustrates this idea by detailing an activity in which teams of students build rockets. (DDR)

Recommends that middle school teachers try an inquiry approach in Earth science. Describes guiding the inquiry, formulating the problem statement, and establishing the rules for inquiry. (DDR)

Describes five environmental awareness activities which can be integrated into any elementary school classroom situation. Activity oriented experiences are described utilizing field experiences, group work, language experience, role playing and the inquiry method. Activity topics include the meaning of environment, introduction to natural and…

The purpose of this study was to reveal the prevailing instructional method utilized by inquiry-oriented science teachers using national representative teacher data. The first part of the study focuses on the measurement of teaching emphasis on inquiry science or the intended curriculum. The second part focuses on the relationship between the…

Reports and discusses observations of three confident, experienced teachers organizing investigative science in their classrooms. The teachers wore microphones and the recorded data coupled with field notes formed a record of what happened that could be negotiated with the teachers. (DDR)

Many primary school teachers feel a lack of confidence in teaching science and technology. This paper aims to demonstrate useful and practical strategies for non-specialist science teachers to use in stimulating a positive scientific attitude among primary school students. It proposes that teachers should strive to develop children's natural…

This book focuses on science teaching at the elementary school level. It includes chapters dealing with various science content areas and teaching processes including: (1) what is science; (2) why teach science; (3) process skills as a foundation for unit and lesson planning; (4) how to plan learning units, daily lessons, and assessment…

This guide focuses on teaching hands-on, discovery-oriented physical science in the elementary classroom using children's literature. Each lesson is an integrated learning episode with a clearly defined science content objective which is supported and enriched through literature, writing, and mathematics. The three sections are: (1) "Properties of…

Described is a mobile hands-on science program called "Light Works" that is brought directly into the classroom. The reasons for the implementation of "Light Works" into primary classrooms is discussed. The advantages and operation of this program are included. (KR)

Presented is a unified science and technology instructional model that emphasizes multidisciplinary learning through discovery and hands-on activities. Two courses, developed from this model, are described in terms of curriculum, teaching methods, scheduling, credit, limitations, enrollment, and promotion. (KR)

Examined is the contribution that hands-on, interactive centers can make to science education. The characteristics of informal and formal learning are compared and discussed. (KR)

Advocated is the use of interactive centers to supplement existing classroom laboratory experiences. Activities found in the center and modified classroom versions are described. The problems that arise when primary students meet sophisticated exhibits is discussed. (KR)