Discusses ways for teachers to help science students understand what makes a good description of a problem in a scientific investigation. (WRM)

Reports on a study of whether limited use of inquiry activities as a supplement to a traditional lecture and demonstration curriculum would improve student achievement in introductory physics classes for preservice teachers and general education students. Finds that students who engaged in inquiry investigations significantly outperformed other…

Describes the haze-monitoring program that was added to the protocols of the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program. Finds that sun photometry provides a convenient means for allowing students to perform hands-on science while learning about various topics in history, electronics, algebra, statistics, graphing,…

Presents the results of a cross-age study of 7- to 15-year-old children on their thinking about vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Suggests experiences that could be included in the school science curriculum and argues for more classroom work relating structure with function in order to address students' conceptual difficulties. (Contains 18…

Two hands-on science activities for K-6 students teach them how to determine if something is an acid or a base. The activities require acid/base indicator juice, testing strips, and a base solution. A recipe for making them in the classroom using red cabbage and baking soda is provided. (SM)

Since many of the important energy-transferring pathways involve synthesis or degradation of biological macromolecules, observations of the enzymes responsible for starch breakdown provide a useful case study. Provides a short, one-step assay for the enzymes amylase and amyloglucosidase. Topics covered include goals, preparation, assay procedure,…

Science centers and children's museums, such as the New York Hall of Science and the Orlando (Florida) Science Center, offer rich programs linked to students' classroom learning and provide an informal, inquiry-based setting for exploring major concepts. School/museum partnerships can further teachers' and students' lifelong learning progress.…

Describes the Hands On Science Outreach (HOSO) program which aims to provide informal science experiences for preschool and elementary-age children. Discusses participants views of the program. (JRH)

Details an effort in Gambia to enable primary teachers to use a hands on-approach to science teaching. Discusses availability of equipment, improvisation, application, use of time, lack of confidence, and class size as concerns in this professional development effort. (DDR)

Discusses the structure of a laboratory course that employs guided inquiry and collaborative learning to increase student preparedness for and intellectual engagement in laboratory investigations, and to give students an understanding and appreciation of a collaborative work environment. Contains 29 references. (DDR)

Explains how students can perform an alternative authentic DNA fingerprinting analysis. Presents restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and can serve as a simulated molecular epidemiology laboratory or as a simulated forensic laboratory exercise. (DDR)

Asserts that young children need help translating scientific theory into experiences that involve their senses. Provides age-appropriate, literature-based activities for exploring concepts and vocabulary in the areas of plant life cycles, animal life cycles, ocean ecology, and human growth development. Suggests specific works of children's…

Describes the use of a scale analog model of an actual fractured rock reservoir to replace paper copies of fracture maps in the structural geology curriculum. Discusses the merits of the model in enabling students to gain experience performing standard structural analyses. (DDR)

Describes a science activity on polyploidy targeting middle and high school students which can be used to discuss topics such as chromosomes, cells, plant growth, and functions of stomates. Integrates mathematics in data collection. (Contains 13 references.) (YDS)

Describes an ammeter that can be built for less than a dollar with commonly available parts to be used in circuits with 3-volt light bulbs. (WRM)