The effectiveness of a modular approach to learning in a botany unit as compared to the traditional teaching approach in terms of learning efficiency, learning time, and mastery level is reported. Three references are cited. (Author/CHC)

Suggests six reasons why plants should be grown in science classrooms and gives instructions for constructing miniterrariums from plastic, two-liter, nonreturnable soft-drink bottles. (SK)

Discusses several of the plant responses to the environment and ways that these responses can be demonstrated. Includes phytochrome-controlled growth, phototropism, and geotropism. (CS)

A volunteer for an Earthwatch research project describes experiences in Nepal. (JD)

Lists and describes science museums in Europe. Countries include France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Holland, England. (CS)

Describes an activity used at the Washington Park Arboretum that helps students understand cloning through plant propagation. Students also learn how to make a pot from recycled newspapers and how to make soil that is appropriate for the plants. (DDR)

Presents a laboratory activity to teach medical biology to undergraduate nonmajor business students. Uses herbalism as the theme concept to integrate subjects, such as anatomy, physiology, medical theory, and terminology. Includes topics, such as herb collection, medicine preparation, and herb storage. (SOE)

Focuses on a yearlong project designed to strengthen teachers' and students' understanding of plants, equip teachers with inquiry-based teaching techniques, and create a community of learners. (DDR)

Describes the Kids In Nature (KIN) program which is a partnership between Sedgwick Reserve and the University of California-Santa Barbara's Museum of Systematics and Ecology (MSE). Involves low-performing high school and feeder elementary school students in the restoration of their own land with plants and animals. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

Presents an activity that helps students explore how energy moves through an ecosystem. Students become plants and animals that thrive in a place near the school. In these roles they are allowed to experience the energy cycle. Materials for this activity are simple and easy to acquire. (DDR)

Describes an activity demonstrating the importance of photoperiod on plant development. Uses the plant devil's backbone for the experiment and studies the details of photoperiodic requirement for plantlet formation. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

An Ohio University program that introduces botany students to field work sent a team to study Hawaiian species of violets and algae, endangered by invasive, imported plants. The situation of the native species relates to larger scientific and ecological issues because algae is the basis of the aquatic food chain, and violets adapt in unique ways…

Sixty-one undergraduate students used a taxonomic instructional aid, a mnemonic aid, or their own methods to master the content of a passage describing a plant classification system and the distinguishing characteristics of the plant groups within that system. The demonstrated advantages of mnemonic strategies are discussed. (SLD)

Provides historical background, descriptions, uses and basis for identification of diatoms. Explains collection, dry-mount cleaning, and preparation procedures of the algae. Cites additional resources. (RT)