Suggests science activities using amaryllis plants. Includes information on growing the plant and its annual growth cycle. (SK)

Presented is a discussion of the natural history of the dandelion. Three activities involving study of dandelions are presented. Each activity includes discussion of purpose, skills, and materials needed. (RE)

Suggests that live plants can brighten up the classroom and can serve as the focus of interdisciplinary learning activities for elementary students. Briefly describes the organization of a "living laboratory" in an elementary school. (SJL)

Describes a simple and inexpensive way to construct two small growth chambers for studying phototropism in the science classroom. One chamber is designed to illustrate how plants grow around obstacles to reach light and the other to illustrate directional light responses. (HM)

The study of seeds and their dispersal is an excellent way to help students understand basic concepts which will help them in their adult decision-making activities regarding environmental problems. This article discusses the purpose of seeds, aspects of seeds, and collecting seeds. Classroom and outdoor activities with seeds are listed. (NQ)

Describes an alternative approach to the familiar paper cup and seed project in which students make grass heads out of nylon mesh stockings, sawdust, wire, rubber bands, plastic eyes, and grass seed. Students can observe the effects of light, sprouting rates, and the height and color of the sprouts on these grass heads. This creative activity is…

Describes an education-government-community environmental partnership program that set aside permanent environmental study sites where students and teachers can conduct meaningful, service-oriented environmental research. Highlights a project where students prepared a comprehensive plant species inventory of a section of the wilderness area.…

Describes open-ended experiments with seeds from the common garden radish (Raphanus sativus). The phases of the 5-E learning cycle--Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Extension, and Evaluation--guide this activity series. (Author/MM)

Presents a tobacco haploid experiment in which students learn the cytogenetic technique of metaphase analysis of chromosomes and experience the basic principles of haploidy, diploidy, and polyploidy. (YDS)

Describes a study that used bibliometrics to examine botanical research activity in India. The findings discussed include the growth of botanical literature, authorship patterns and collaborative research, important research centers and their rankings, journals preferred by Indian botanists, subfields of research, and the applicability of…

Presents activities that use marine organisms with plant-like appearances to help students build classification skills and illustrate some of the less obvious differences between plants and animals. Compares mechanisms by which sessile plants and animals deal with common problems such as obtaining energy, defending themselves, successfully…

Topiary is the gardener's ancient art form in which plants are trimmed to form living sculptures. Reports the evolution of the art and the source of recent interest in the art form. (MDH)