The study reported in this paper intended to trace what Chinese children think about life and identify their naive theories. Fifty-eight 5-year-old children in Taiwan from 39 kindergartens were interviewed using a semi-structured instrument. Results indicate that preschool children have preconceptions about the concept of life even before entering…

This curriculum guide begins with classroom and text study of plants and develops into an individual research project that continues throughout the school year outside the regular biology or botany teaching plan and text. The project uses about one class period every 2 weeks for group discussions, evaluations, and suggestions for the individual…

Appropriate for secondary school botany instruction, this study guide focuses on the important roles of plants in human lives. Following a rationale for learning the basic skills of a botanist, separate sections discuss the process sunlight undergoes during photosynthesis, the flow of energy in the food chain, alternative plant lifestyles, plant…

Reports on a class project study in which gibberellic acid was applied to 15 plant varieties and observations of the plants' growth from seed germination to maturity were made. (GS)

Describes a chemical method for preparing leaf skeletons for scientific or artistic work. (LS)

This article discusses the history of the Spanish word denoting a particular tree, "secoya," which found its origin in the name of the originator of the Cherokee alphabet "Sekwiyi," moving then into English and subsequently into Spanish. (Text is in Spanish.) (CLK)

A comparative study of student achievement in botany and zoology based on data of 10 studies conducted in 20 countries. Up to age 14, students achieve better in zoology; after age 14, students achieve better in botany. Based on the findings, recommendations are suggested regarding curriculum planning, laboratory work and the need for specific…

Describes a contract unit on plants designed to suit the diverse needs of students because it offers verbal and nonverbal alternatives for learning and a variety of activities. (BR)

Describes the inexpensive construction of an uptake volume potometer uptake and loss potometer, and experiments on plants that can be conducted with the equipment. (BR)

Descriptions of plants suited to specific conservation uses under different site conditions in the Northeast United States are presented in this booklet. The plants are classified into categories based on conservation use. These include: (1) plants for disturbed areas; (2) ornamental ground covers; (3) plants for coastal dunes and sandy inland…

Plants that have been identified as stabilizers and beautifiers of coastal dunes are described in this publication from the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). After years of tests and field trials, the SCS has singled out 43 plants as having good potential for dune revegetation based on their characteristics for erosion control, frequency of…

This field guide was especially developed for Water Watch--a public participation program in Kentucky that encourages citizens to adopt a stream, lake or wetland, and then gain hands-on experience in protecting and enhancing their adopted water resources. Understanding the relationships between life and the environment helps people to appreciate…

Presented are some science activities that children can perform using fallen leaves. (PEB)

Described are about two dozen laboratory experiments, demonstrations and class discussions intended to supplement secondary school biology curricula with energy-related learning activities. Concepts examined in these materials include photosynthesis, energy from biomass, feeding relationships, pyrolysis, and respiration. Lessons contain notes to…

Described in this guide are the emergent and semiemergent plants most likely to be found in inland and coastal marshes. The guide is intended for field identification of marsh plants without resources to technical botanical keys. The plants are discussed in seven groups. Within each group the kinds which resemble one another most closely are next…