Science programs, such as the ones described in this publication, advance the goals of public library service to children. Throughout the programs, boys and girls are introduced to an array of literature exploring science topics. Librarians present subjects of great interest to children creatively using local experts, realia, child-conducted…

Describes the equipment and laboratory procedures suitable for introducing junior high school students to the organic chemistry concepts involved in fractional distillation. (JR)

Presents procedures, exercises, demonstrations, and information on a variety of biology topics including labeling systems, biological indicators of stream pollution, growth of lichens, reproductive capacity of bulbous buttercups, a straw balance to measure transpiration, interaction of fungi, osmosis, and nitrogen fixation and crop production. (DC)

Presents background information, laboratory procedures, classroom materials/activities, and experiments for chemistry. Topics include superheavy elements, polarizing power and chemistry of alkali metals, particulate carbon from combustion, tips for the chemistry laboratory, interesting/colorful experiments, behavior of bismuth (III) iodine, and…

Describes the life cycle, reproduction, and various classroom uses of the Louisiana Red Swamp Crayfish. Includes advantages and disadvantages of two different culturing techniques. (JN)

Procedures used by a primary science class to build five different working solar furnaces are summarized. Diagrams, illustrations, and graphs of children's results are included. (DC)

Laboratory procedures, equipment, teaching ideas, and resource materials related to physics are discussed. Topics include the construction of a liquid-metal pump, a hydraulic jack, and an apparatus which helps teach time/velocity graphs; current/voltage characteristics of a tungsten filament lamp; and an electric circuit game. (DC)

Presents chemistry activities suitable for elementary students. Lists chemicals commonly used in elementary science, their common names, and where they may be obtained. (DS)

Describes a preschool science-based curriculum which encompasses four broad topics: water, small creatures, gadgetry, and environmental terraria. Includes a description and list of activities for each topic. Presents research suggesting that children participating in this curriculum increased their self-directed discovery and verbalized curiosity.…

Examines the pros and cons of laboratory instruction. Complaints lodged against laboratory instruction include its high cost, and lack of research supporting the lab. Justifications listed include science education research supporting the lab, psychology, and common sense. (DS)

Suggests individual student projects for extra-credit work to enhance student individuality. Provides a sample information sheet for independent projects (with suggested activities), a listing of project requirements, and a project evaluation checklist. (DS)

Several experiments are described using common laboratory apparatus and readily available materials to generate resonance spectra of air columns. The advantages of this apparatus and method of demonstration are visual impact and accuracy of results. (CS)

Guppies serve as a hardy, inexpensive, yet interesting species for classroom observation. Through a series of observations of individual males, groups of males, and males with females, students discover the signals male guppies use to set up social structure and to court females. (Author/DC)

Summarizes viewpoints on the use of animals in science experiments in the biology classroom, including those of teachers, education researchers, biomedical scientists, science education administrators, and animal welfare advocates. (Author/CS)

Describes an inexpensive physics apparatus and experiment to dynamically determine Young's modulus for thin reeds and wire samples. (HM)