Nothing brings out the best in eighth-grade physical science students quite like an engineering challenge. The wind turbine design challenge described in this article has proved to be a favorite among students with its focus on teamwork and creativity and its (almost) sneaky reinforcement of numerous physics concepts. For this activity, pairs of…

Citizen Science projects offer opportunities for non-scientists to take part in scientific research. Scientific results from these projects have been well documented. However, there is limited research about how these projects affect their volunteer participants. In this study, I investigate how participation in an online, collaborative…

This study investigated the use of a contextually sensitive instrument to assess the effect of invasive species monitoring training on the scientific literacy of citizen volunteers. The authors measured scientific literacy scores before and after 57 citizens participated in a 2-day event to learn to monitor invasive species with an instrument…

Using science notebooks effectively in the classroom can encourage students who are learning English to keep up and keep interested. English language proficiency might head the list of content areas that schools can teach properly and effectively through science. Amaral, Garrison, and Klentschy (2002) reported that a successful inquiry-based…

Describes an activity in which students assume the roles of scientists living in the year 2,001,997 and make their own fossil record discoveries of animals that have undergone evolutionary changes since 1997. Students choose the animals as well as create the adaptations that have taken place. Includes a sample scoring rubric. (DKM)

Virtual ChemLab project is an instructional laboratory involved in providing a practical experience by connecting the theory and laboratory practicals, teaching laboratory techniques and teaching the cognitive processes. This lab provides the students with the freedom to explore, repeat the procedures again, focuses on the underlying principles of…

Conducting individual or group projects in science that are experimental in nature pose several problems for examiners. The criteria for assessing student progress could vary from one person to another. Some guidelines are discussed. (PS)

Describes a polytechnical club" where college students must manually make laboratory equipment for experiments. Also introduces an evaluation procedure based on the student's intelligence and ability to work with others. (DS)

Describes using Vee maps and concept maps to guide student investigations and for student assessment. Technique focuses on following questions: what do I want to find out? what do I know? how do ideas connect? how do I go about finding answer to my question? what can I make of my findings? and what did I observe and measure? (PR)

This publication encourages student involvement in biological research through student research with the cooperation of teachers and scientists. The contents of the book are divided into two sections. The first section introduces students to research investigations and includes: (1) "How the Investigations Are Set Up and the Rationale Behind…

Discussed is a method for judging science fair projects considered to be more accurate than just an averaging of scores. The use of many categories so that the number of projects in each is relatively small is proposed. The advantages of using the consensus method are described. (KR)

SchoolNet is a Canadian national program designed to link electronically 300 schools in order to provide access to communications and information technology. Thirty schools in Alberta were selected as pilot sites to develop projects in science, mathematics, or technology which could use resources that enhance student learning experiences. The…