Describes a laboratory activity on invasion biology to improve students' cognitive skills as well as manual skills. Requires students to develop hypotheses in which a common invasive species will succeed. Focuses on the red imported fire ant in the Southeastern United States, which is a non-native invasive species. (Contains 17 references.) (YDS)

Describes an integrated unit on bats and specifically addresses the National Science Education Standards. (Author/KHR)

Provided is a discussion of items covering a variety of fascinating biological topics which include: the elasticity of the furcula of starlings in flight, beavers increasing the greenhouse effect, effective invaders, traveling birds, the cuckoo deception, competitive sperm, hearing springs, heat and sight, blinking as punctuation, mutations, and…

Describes the process of teaching fourth graders to combine facts and narrative in writing a research report on animals. Asserts that this type of report writing increases students' understanding of their subject, and illustrates that research is an ongoing activity. (MM)

Describes an activity which connects mathematics and science by using data analysis and studies of animal camouflage. Includes a reproducible student worksheet to be used for data collection. (11 references) (MKR)

Compares and contrasts the use of animals in English secondary schools and Australian high schools. Changes in animal usage in English schools over the last decade are described as are the influences that the National Curriculum in England has had on such work. Implications are indicated for Australian and English biology teachers. (Author/MKR)

Interviewed first-grade children (n=40) about forests and living things found in them. Reports that children generally assigned most forest-dwellers to the forests, but also tended to assign almost all other animals, especially carnivores, to the forest as well. Results indicate a general lack of awareness of plant life, insects, water resources,…

Planning, creation, and current operation of the Transgenic Mouse Research Facility at the New York University Kaplan Cancer Center are discussed. The university considered need, space, funding, supervision, and marketing and followed a logical and structured management process embodying both scientific and administrative input. (Author/MSE)

Describes Green Chimneys, therapeutic residential farm education and treatment center where animals help troubled children and adolescents. Contends that human-animal bond can promote learning and that nurturing animals and receiving back unconditional attention and love reestablishes the worth of the child. Describes residents of the program, a…

A survey of 13 dog-guide schools found that, in the majority of schools, between 91% and 100% of graduates received orientation and mobility (O&M) training before obtaining a dog guide. Eight schools require O&M for admittance, and 10 schools solicit recommendations from O&M specialists before admitting an applicant. (CR)

Explores the ecosystem in Pacific Northwest Coastal America and investigates land management issues. Discusses the impact of canopy trees on temperature and the forest itself. Explains fungi's relationship with trees and presents activities on stream flow, wood, volcanoes, and plants for the classroom. (YDS)

Analyzes some of the comments offered by biology teachers concerning dissection in the classroom. Some teachers no longer do dissection, whereas others say that a number of students in every class want to dissect. Discusses problems noted in teachers' and other educators' attitudes as well as possible misinterpretations of students' attitudes by…

Educators at a symposium on dissection shared a variety of views on dissection through their personal experiences as educators and as students. For example, one was turned off to science because of dissection. Another mentioned the frivolous attitudes of students who are insensitive to animals. Another indicated that most people perceive their…

Describes an activity that employs the study of unicorns as an enjoyable and vivid means by which young children can learn to distinguish fact from fantasy. Students learn about the characteristics of animals suspected of being unicorns. (DDR)

A study of eight adults who use dog guides found four themes that described the experience of using a dog guide: increased confidence, increased independence, changed public interactions, and additional responsibilities or inconveniences. Most participants described their dogs as social "ice breakers" that led to increased interaction…