As a science teacher educator and former science teacher, the author has long known that the science fair should be part of his professional experience, but he had not given it much thought until recently. As he worked with his daughter's project, he became convinced that it is time to reconsider the range of activities one calls "science fairs."…

Since 2002, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado has been working to provide learning tools for students and teachers. The project has developed over 85 interactive simulations--or sims--for teaching and learning science. Although these sims can be used in a variety of ways, they are specifically designed to make…

Tells the story of an experiment conducted by Galileo and proves that a light pebble and a heavy rock travel with equal speed when dropped from the same distance and touch the ground at the same time. Indicates the importance of open-mindedness and tolerance. First published in 1939. (YDS)

Describes electricity experiments which can be used for such purposes as determining the magnetic field of a magnet, making an electromagnet, and showing the repulsion of like poles of a magnet. Includes list of materials needed, procedures used, and instructional strategies. (JN)

Teachers often use demonstrations to prepare students for a science experiment. This article describes a demonstration method to ensure that students are not supplied with all the answers before the actual experiment and to help them to remain an active part of the science lesson. (ZWH)

Describes simple, inexpensive activities for teaching students about mutants and mutations in bacteria. Explains how to isolate bacteria from soil and leaves and how to grow bacteria on agar or in broth. Describes how to construct a gradient plate for finding the minimum inhibitory concentration of a substance and how to use this set up to find…

Describes the easy collection procedures and classroom uses of live planarians. Suggests that the use of live animals in the classroom will allow students to observe different biological processes exhibited by living organisms. (ZWH)

Describes an experiment in which the final speed of a toy car is predicted by measuring the elastic potential energy stored in its spring at the start and the energy lost to friction during the run. Conservation of energy is discussed and the necessary mathematical formulas are presented. (BC)

Shows how the use of pulleys can add a new direction to experiments that demonstrate forces. Procedures used and typical student results are included. (JN)

Describes how microscale labs can be used as a tool to transform teaching instead of simply a less expensive substitute to traditional labs. Presents an activity that introduces students to density and the advantages of multiple measurements and averaging. (ZWH)

Two physics experiments are described, One, involving a laboratory cart accelerated along a level surface, examines the concept of inertial mass in translation and the other, using a solid cylinder, measures the moment of inertia of a wheel. Equations and illustrations are included. (MA)

Describes laboratory activities using algae as the organisms of choice. These include examination of typical algal cells, demonstration of alternation of generations, sexual reproduction in Oedogonium, demonstration of phototaxis, effect of nitrate concentration on Ankistrodesmus, and study of competition between two algae in the same environment.…

Describes a safer, less expensive, preparation-efficient lab (microchemistry and mole) to aid teachers in teaching chemistry. Equipped with small-scale, hands-on activities, teachers can provide students an activity that allow them to collect, analyze, and discuss data all within a single class period. (ZWH)

Describes how to collect micrometeorites and suggests a number of related activities such as determining the number of meteors entering the atmosphere and determining the composition of the micrometeorites. (BR)

Presents a set of laboratory experiments that can assist students in the detection of carbon dioxide. Offers a variation of the supported drop method of carbon dioxide detection that provides readily visible positive results. Includes background information on carbon dioxide. (ML)