When parents or policy-makers are asked to describe an excellent education, they often describe in fairly abstract terms the presence of a rich curriculum with highly qualified teachers, outstanding school resources and extensive educational opportunities. Nevertheless, excellent inputs to education provide no guarantee for excellent outcomes. To…

The Faulkes Telescope Project and its educational aims are briefly summarised. Research to evaluate its impact in inspiring excitement and interest among students is described. The Faulkes Telescope in Hawaii was used to provide images for assessed coursework based on two of the Faulkes "education/research" projects on galaxies.…

This pamphlet gives an introduction to the principles of astronomical picture-taking. Chapters included are: (1) "Getting Started" (describing stationary cameras, sky charts and mapping, guided cameras, telescopes, brightness of astronomical subjects, estimating exposure, film selection, camera filters, film processing, and exposure for…

Hands-on experiences are encouraged and some examples given to promote discovery learning for the very young. (EB)

This brief discusses growing protein crystals. Protein crystals can be very difficult to grow. This activity for grades 9-12 provides a simple recipe for growing protein crystals from Brazil nuts. Included are a history of protein crystals, a discussion of microgravity effects on growth, connections to academic standards, and lab sheets. (MVL)

Directions are given for caring for desert tortoises, both adults and young. Observations of their behavior are recommended. (SA)

Examines whether extracurricular science activities can reduce the decline in attitude toward school science in junior and senior high school levels. Concludes that students exposed to extracurricular science activities had a more positive attitude toward school science. Sixteen references are listed. (YP)

Explains strategies for motivating and getting student's attention in science. Presents a laboratory procedure for generating hydrogen using an Erlenmeyer flask and a one-holed stopper apparatus to fill a balloon which is used to produce a dramatic explosion. Safety precautions are cited. (RT)

This paper argues the value of drama processes in science classrooms as a way of enabling students to learn openly from and with each other and of enhancing higher order learning skills. Role-playing, focus, and tension are described as constructs to guide the pedagogy of drama processes. (YP)

Suggests ways parents can help steer their children toward the field of science, noting the current decrease in the proportion of students in science and engineering. Some of the ideas are to take children to museums, watch science specials on television, and buy toys and tools that teach. (SM)

Presents case study data on one sixth-grade classroom of Kids as Global Scientists (KGS) project participants during the eight-week program. Finds that students made significant gains in weather content knowledge, and interviews revealed a high level of student motivation and satisfaction with the project. (Contains 38 references.) (Author/WRM)

This brief discusses human movement and robotic human movement simulators. The activity for students in grades 5-12 provides a history of robotic movement and includes making an End Effector for the robotic arms used on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). (MVL)

This brief discusses X-gliders and flight research with experimental gliders. In this activity, designed for grades K-4, students will learn how to change the flight characteristics of a glider using scientific inquiry methods. Glider plans and a template are included. (MVL)

This brief discusses the space shuttle and the docking procedures used with the International Space Station (ISS). Using this activity designed for grades 5-12, students demonstrate and identify procedures for determining the best method for completing the docking activity. Students will also study and identify Newton's Laws of Motion. A mockup…