In this activity, students learned scientific practices and evidence-based reasoning by formulating and testing hypotheses about factors affecting human reaction time and examining those hypotheses with data from ruler-drop tests. The project aligns with all eight of the science and engineering practices (SEP) embodied in the "Next Generation…

In honor of the 2014 International Year of Crystallography, the first Wisconsin Crystal Growing Competition was successfully organized and conducted. High school students from 26 schools across the state competed for prizes by growing large crystals of CuSO[subscript4]·5(H[subscript2]O). This paper describes how the event was planned and carried…

Problem Statement: Research studies indicate that teachers with negative attitudes toward science tend to use didactic approaches rather than approaches based on students' active participation. However, the reviews of the national academic literature in Turkey located a few research studies on the relationship between playful science experiences…

This guided inquiry activity was developed to help students "view" an equilibrium system from the particulate level and make connections to their macroscopic observations. Part I helps students observe a physical equilibrium system in which water is transferred between two larger containers. In Part II, students examine what happens to a chemical…

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…

In the fall of 2011, Park Forest Middle School (PFMS) students approached the STEM faculty with numerous questions regarding the popular television show Myth Busters, which detailed Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, and inventor, Archimedes. Two episodes featured attempts to test historical accounts that Archimedes developed a death ray…

One author shares the unique opportunity to be immersed in the science of "sound at work" through participation in NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Teacher at Sea Program. A third- through fifth-grade learning outcome within the Nature of Science section of the "Next Generation Science Standards"…

Discusses the urban myth that "If toast can land butter-side down, it will" as an example of a source of projects demonstrating the use of the scientific method beyond its usual settings. Other urban myths suitable for investigation are discussed. (Author/MM)

Described are several physics activities developed by a high school: research corner, exploring an invention, construction projects, archives report and archives update, short term research and design projects, essay contest, and special projects. (YP)

Science fairs have become an important key to gathering valuable science experience while pursuing independent projects. This book serves as a guide to every aspect of science fairs and science fair projects. It provides information on finding suitable topics, researching them properly, developing experiments, and giving meaning to data results.…

Considers the ways in which students' activities during project work are influenced by their images of science. Finds that the concept of "epistemic demand" may help in anticipating difficulties students might have during science project work, and that students' images of science are developed as a result of implicit and explicit…

Offers guidelines for setting up a science fair, establishes criteria for project evaluation and discusses judging and awards. (BR)

Discusses a teaching method using investigational skills for Nuffield A-level Physics including assessment technique, change of the assessment criteria, advice for choosing the topic, and future development. (YP)

What bird species live in your area? Which migrate and which stay year-round? How do bird populations change over time? Citizen science provides the essential tools to address these questions and more. With ever-growing databases such as Project FeederWatch and eBird, students can connect with people around the world as they make observations,…

Develops a teaching scheme for 11-13 year-olds based on different types of investigational practical work. Includes discussion of difficulties in investigations, four types of investigations, and deployment in the curriculum. (YP)