Describes a teacher education program designed to increase preservice teachers' confidence in their ability to instruct elementary children in hands-on science. (Author/MKR)

Describes a course that bridges the gap between pure science and pure technology called Pre-Engineering. This course gives junior and senior students a chance to investigate the possibility of choosing engineering as a major in college as well as to experience hands-on activities, projects, laboratories, problem solving, and computer simulations…

Investigates the assumption that girls will benefit from performance-based or hands-on science classrooms, by examining changes in students' attitudes toward science over the school year. Contains 46 references. (DDR)

Sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's annual Summer Science Honors Academy is a hands-on experience in science for secondary school students and teachers from throughout Appalachia. The program inspires students to pursue scientific careers and provides teachers with ways to integrate…

Describes a mystery unit designed for a heterogeneous grouping of eighth-grade students that involves the disciplines of science and language arts. Addresses students' interests and connects naturally with language arts and science curriculum. (DDR)

Presents the key design concepts of a software project whose objective is to provide a simple, cheap, and efficient solution for showing slides during lessons in computer labs. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

This article describes Camp Invention, a national creativity day camp that integrates science, math, social studies, and the arts. The one week camp for children entering grades 2-6 attracts many academically gifted children because of its hands-on curriculum. The camp's curriculum and activities are discussed. (Contains two references.) (CR)

Focuses on an experimental vegetable garden project in which grade eight students test their hypotheses on plant growth under variable soil conditions. Provides opportunities to integrate various scientific topics. (DDR)

Introduces a germination bag activity in which students investigate the questions: (1) Why is soil brown? and (2) How do roots know when a plant has enough water? Uses scientific journals and posters for student evaluation. (YDS)

Analyzes the structure and skill level of the tasks in the practical activities prescribed in eight process-oriented integrated science textbooks for Caribbean students in grades seven through nine. Results indicate that most of the tasks are structured and deductive in approach. Contains 42 references. (DDR)

Presents four elementary hands-on science activities that highlight animal adaptation (how birds' beaks are adapted to suit their habitats), the water cycle (how nature cleans rainwater that seeps into the ground), aquatic ecosystems (changes over time in an aquatic habitat), and animal habitats (all living beings' need for food, water, shelter,…

Calls for teachers to share their experiences with target setting, benchmarking, and value added in writing. Also defines each of the three terms. (DDR)

Outlines the necessary steps for designing a school wetland which include site assessment, estimating water volume, analyzing soil permeability, site design, and implementation. (PVD)

The sight of young children eagerly reaching for and eating string beans, carrots, lettuce, radishes, and even raw beets and onions is an incredibly satisfying one for a science teacher. The experience of growing food is a natural motivation for getting children to eat more healthful foods, and the process of how food is grown, harvested, and…

In this article, the authors present hands-on activities and demonstrations using readily available materials that help students learn how to prevent soil erosion. With this series of active-learning exercises, the students will be able to practice scientific inquiry while learning about soil as a valuable resource. After demonstrations on the…