Describes a one-week unit in Earth science for the elementary science classroom. The concepts included are land formation, erosion, the water cycle, and human impact on the Earth's surface through planning and building a massive outdoor drainage model. (Author/DS)

Describes a middle school science program that emphasizes choices, diverse potential experiences, independent study, and individualization. (JR)

Discusses how teachers turn an idea into a meaningful lesson. Suggests class brainstorming, using community resources, library searches, and further classroom activities. (YP)

Reports on the evaluation of a district's science fair. Describes the procedure, literature and questionnaire findings, the effects of the study, and a summary. States that as a result, changes were made in the objectives, project awards, judging criteria, and guidelines for judges. (RT)

Discusses the ELEMENTARY SCIENCE program for grades K-6, describing concepts that the program emphasizes and materials used for each grade level. (CS)

Three sets of elementary science materials are reviewed (ESS activity cards, ESS readers, "We Discover the World") that represent what can be done to enhance and structure learning for a single concept or topic. "We Discover the World" is a set of materials designed to introduce children to their world and their environment.…

Reports on the development of science curricula projects. Lists features that can be applied to programs developed at the local level. Includes programs from the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, Educational Development Center, and Technical Education Research Centers. (RT)

Highlights a quantitative synthesis of research studies on Elementary Science Study, Science Curriculum Improvement Study, and Science A Process Approach, focusing on student performance/achievement, attitudes, process skills, and basic skills. Suggests that activities and instructional strategies from the programs be incorporated into existing…

Provides evidence indicating that activity-based science programs substantially improve performance in science process/creativity; modestly increase performance on tests of logic, perception, language development, science content, and mathematics; modestly improve attitude toward science and science class; and have pronounced benefits for…

Describes Project COLD (Climate, Ocean, Land, Discovery) a scientific study of the Polar Regions, a collection of 35 modules used within the framework of existing subjects: oceanography, biology, geology, meterology, geography, social science. Includes a partial list of topics and one activity (geodesic dome) from a module. (Author/SK)

Reported is a needs assessment conducted in 40 Massachusetts school systems to determine what elementary school science teachers perceive should comprise their inservice training. Findings suggest that programs focus on the metric system, environmental science, more science knowledge, and better science methods. (Author/SA)

Described are the organization, development, and piloting of this K-6 science curriculum program. Results of the pilot study are presented including the improvement in student and teacher attitudes. (CW)

Reports on the progress of the "Science Through Discovery" program of the Richardson (Texas) Independent School District. Results of a study into the program indicate that students have improved their attitudes about science, as well as their decision-making skills regarding technological issues. (TW)

Briefly reviews three programs which foster self-directed learning: "Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools,""Environmental Studies," and "Science 5/13." Includes a chart of words and phrases characterizing self-directed and other-directed learning. (SK)