Helps middle school students understand the concept of solubility through hands-on experience with a variety of liquids and solids. As they explore factors that affect solubility and saturation, students gain content mastery and an understanding of the inquiry process. Also enables teachers to authentically assess student performance on several…

Discusses the use of models as an instructional method in science classrooms and makes suggestions on how to use models more effectively. (Contains 28 references.) (Author/YDS)

Modifies the "What's in a Bag?" activity to effectively and engagingly demonstrate the nature of science. Describes each step of the activity and lists necessary materials. Shows students that, like scientists, their scientific models change as more data are gathered and incorporated into what is already known. (NB)

Investigated the use of a hands-on laboratory program for improving student attitudes toward science and increasing student achievement levels in science knowledge. Findings indicated that students who had laboratory instruction scored higher in achievement and showed a positive correlation between attitude and achievement. No significant…

Introduces a curriculum model for teaching physical science to the pre-service elementary school teacher entitled "Powerful Ideas in Physical Science (PIPS)". This model was developed by members of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and is inquiry-based, hands-on, and discrepant-event based. (Author/MM)

Describes and evaluates the work of an action research group established to address some of the problems associated with teaching science in elementary schools, in particular what has been described as 'science reluctance' or, in its more extreme form, 'science phobia'. Explains how an elementary school teacher replaced science teaching with…

Describes a specialized biology course designed to meet the needs of prospective elementary teachers. The original course was oriented towards hands-on activities for K-8 classrooms, improving prospective elementary teachers' attitudes toward science, and increasing self-efficacy in science teaching. Original goals were re-examined with the advent…

Describes a project that enriches astronomy lessons with hands-on activities facilitated by an astronomer. The project links professional and amateur astronomers with middle-level classroom teachers and informal educators. Families and community organizations are also involved in the project. Provides information on how to join the ASTRO network.…

Describes the construction and use of an electrooptic apparatus that can be incorporated into the classroom to test liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and introduce students to experiments of an applied physics nature with very practical implications. Presents experiments that give students hands-on experience with technologies of current interest to…

Presents laboratory activities focusing on the development of sexually mature gametophytes from single-celled spores. Includes techniques for culture and manipulation of gametophyte development from spores that are applicable for hands-on activities for students at all levels. (MKR)

Presents a summary of teaching practices that are successful in promoting conceptual change based on a study of Grades 4, 8, and 10 and on the research literature. Proposes improvements in teaching methodology. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Presents activities to stimulate the curiosity of grade 10-12 students and introduce them to astronomical observations. Exposes students to the evolutionary theory of stars and the structure of the universe. (DDR)

Provides directions for the construction of giant plastic cells, including details for building and installing the organelles. Also contains instructions for preparing the ribosomes, nucleolus, nucleus, and mitochondria. (DDR)

Describes a laboratory procedure using vanilla and chocolate sandwich cookies that can be used to illustrate independent assortment either during meiosis or during a dihybrid cross. (DDR)

Describes a watershed/river monitoring project. Teachers use the environment as the integrating context for interdisciplinary and cross-curricular studies. Core studies include science, reading, math, and social studies. (CCM)