IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE, EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON A TYPE OF INDEPENDENT STUDY INVOLVING SELECTION, DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, AND REPORTING OF AN EXPERIMENT TO EVALUATE AN HYPOTHESIS FORMULATED BY THE STUDENT CONCERNING A TOPIC OF HIS SELECTION. THE FACULTY HAS DEVELOPED A PROJECT SELECTION FORM, WITH…

Discusses the approach taken in a science project program at a math/science/computer magnet school. Explains the procedures, student requirements, and scheduling needs of the program. Contains a checklist of 17 steps for completion of the project. (ML)

Assesses the benefits of a minizoo project which incorporates an animal lending program. Describes the instructional opportunities made available to teachers and students through this offering. Also explains the functions and activities of an animal club for children. (ML)

As an alternative to traditional science projects, students in introductory organic and inorganic chemistry were given the opportunity to produce an "audiovisual" term paper. Rationale for the project, responses from student self-evaluation questionnaires, and comments on implementing the project (including cost and time factors) are…

Activities for teaching about the solar system, the earth's rotation, plants, pendulums, and animal adaptation are described. Included are suggestions for building scale models to illustrate the solar system's proportions and the earth's rotation speed, and for using playground swings to demonstrate pendulum motion. (PP)

Describes a series of experiments which a group of 12- to 14-year-old students developed and conducted as they attempted to design a solar panel. Includes an outline of their building procedures. (DC)

Discusses various methods the author has used in high school chemistry classes to maintain interest and keep grades at an acceptable standard. Integrated within the curriculum are research projects, library research, creative work, laboratory write-ups; a two-level curriculum is provided for nonscience and science majors. (CS)

Presents an analysis of student science projects at science fairs that judges are likely to encounter. Presents a challenge to the organizers of science fairs to define the goals of the fair and the criteria for selecting winners. The problems associated with the process are discussed. (SA)

Describes a chemistry program offered at East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. The philosophy underlying this program and its teaching techniques are also included. (HM)

Describes the objectives, assignment structure, requirements, and results of a team project in a junior-level transport course. Provides tables of rules, projects list, and a group member evaluation form. (YP)

Provided are two experiments which deal with the formation of callus and embryos from tissue culture of carrot roots. Outlined are the purpose, materials, procedure, and results for each. (RT)

Describes Ohio's Scenic Rivers Monitoring Program that uses benthic macroinvertebrates, such as the stonefly, mayfly, and water penny beetle larva, as key indicators of water quality and stream health. Presents a three-category scheme for invertebrates based upon their tolerance to pollution. Students can collect samples of these organisms,…

Authors describe a set of controlled ecosystems that can be used to demonstrate the effects of herbivory on the health and growth of a plant population and of predation on the growth of a primary consumer population. The system also shows the effectiveness of biological pest control measures in a dramatic way. The construction of the ecosystems is…

Describes a six-week project, in which students ground their own mirror, built a working telescope, and learned how and why it all works. (PR)