The author believes that science within a primary school is there to enable children to be interested in the world around them and to help them start to understand it, getting them interested in the very basics, and pointing out things around them that they had not considered, so that they can start asking the questions 'why' and 'how' and 'what'…

As a science leader in her school, the author is always looking for new and interesting ways to inspire children in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) subjects. Attending several science conferences introduced her to new STEM programs, such as Street Science and fractals. In this article, she shares a couple of the activities…

Sports are a popular and effective way to illustrate physics principles. Baseball in particular presents a number of opportunities to motivate student interest and teach concepts. Several articles have appeared in this journal on this topic, illustrating a wide variety of areas of physics. In addition, several websites and an entire book are…

This paper introduces the importance of middle school students' interests in learning biology. Considering the psychological characteristics of middle school students, this paper suggests several practical ways for inspiring students' interests in learning biology.

Teaching nuclear physics in secondary schools offers us a unique possibility to increase our students' awareness of the influence that modern science and its achievements have on the everyday life of contemporary people. Students gain an opportunity to learn in what ways the outcome of laboratory research is put to use in such fields as medicine,…

Describes a simple seismograph which can be built quite easily and is sufficiently sensitive to record earthquake waves at home. (HM)

Explains how to start and operate a science club for grades 4-6 and presents some suggested activities. (BB)

This experiment, mixing solutions of potassium iodide and lead nitrate to give a bright yellow lead iodide precipitate, often leads students into other topics such as making paint from the precipitate. (BB)

Explains the development of a science program which was initiated to help students, parents, and other teachers appreciate science. Provides a list of materials needed, procedures, questions, and objectives for performing two of the 30 activities used in the project. (RT)

As science teachers, they understand the importance of gaining student interest to promote learning. They know how challenging it is to spark the curiosity to truly engage students in the processes of "doing science." One often-used method of motivation is the demonstration of science in action. Demonstrations such as "discrepant events". They are…

Explains a science project conducted by the Boston Museum of Science to provide enrichment activities through an interaction between children and scientists. Provides information on the packets of creative problem-solving experiences, a description of the program, the culminating event, and joining procedures. (RT)

This standard lesson on identifying salt and sugar crystals expands into an opportunity for students to develop their observation, questioning, and modeling skills. Although sugar and salt may look similar, students discovered that they looked very different under a magnifying glass and behaved differently when dissolved in water. In addition,…

The "Robot Roadshow Program" is designed to increase the interest of elementary school children in technical disciplines, specifically math and science. The program focuses on children from schools categorized as rural or underserved, which often have limited access to advanced technical resources. We developed the program using robots…

This guide is intended for use as a supplemental science teaching aid with students having diverse medical, learning, and/or behavioral problems in either self-contained or regular elementary classes. Its purpose is to teach observation skills and the scientific method, to stimulate thinking, and to increase interest in science and related…

Every child today is in contact with the results of scientific discovery and should have at least some understanding of the principles of modern science. The increasing complexities of the age in which we live make this imperative. For this reason, the study of science has become an essential part of the curriculum of every elementary rural and…