This month's investigations deal with patterns and the importance of looking at data from more than a single perspective. The investigations focus upon ordering animals in some way. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Describes an activity that combines a first-grade class, a fifth-grade class, measurement activities, and gorillas in a zoo to extend the mathematics learning environment and include mathematical connections, problem solving, and communications. (MKR)

Comparison of social choices of trisomic macaques and of control groups found that groups showed few differences in preferences for stimulus animals with and without disabilities. Results suggest that the avoidance of individuals with disabilities is not a general primate trait and the presence of mental retardation and physical handicaps need not…

The construction and stocking of an in-class pond is discussed. Suggestions for eight activities using the pond are provided. A list of 15 references is included. (CW)

Activities are included that acquaint students with the parts of birds and the structure of feathers; that identify the prey of owls by opening owl pellets; working with information about threatened and endangered species of birds; and follow-up activities for bird study. A list of state and provincial birds of the United States and Canada and…

Presented is a survey of a river including physiochemical measurements and river fauna observations. It is shown that the self-purification gradient of river water quality and the possible ecological disturbances due to pollutants entering the river create an unpredictable pattern of recovery. (CW)

Analyzed were attitudes toward animals held by 145 children, ages 12 to 14. The most prevalent attitudes were humanistic, moralistic, naturalistic, and ecologistic. No attitude differences were found between boys and girls. Close to 90 percent of the children reported that they had spent time in class discussing wildlife. (Author/CW)

Different types of spiders, their ranges and habits are discussed. Activities associated with the study of spiders are suggested. Four references are listed which may be of interest to beginners. (CW)

Describes the history, research, teaching strategies, and specialties of the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Documents effects of changing societal attitudes toward wildlife, pets, working animals, and food animals on curriculum, the systems approach to disease, comparative genetics, biotechnology, the ecology of…

Presents results of a pretest/posttest measure for assessing scientific literacy that was given to a general biology class for nonmajors. Test questions are listed and include items covering popular biology-related misconceptions. (WRM)

Presents an active-learning technique in which students design their studies that was found to be successful in an animal behavior laboratory course. Divides the laboratory course into three components: (1) structured and technique-oriented exercises; (2) open-ended and student-designed investigations; and (3) independent projects. Explains…

Describes a project in which students photograph animals overnight at an outdoor site. Presents directions for building the camera stand and integrates the activity with writing. Lists some photographic tips. (YDS)

Includes "The More Things Change..." (Connors); "Students--Bored of Education?" (Earle); "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" (Wesch et al.); "Attitude and the Value of Environment" (Foster); "Fins, Feathers and Fur" (Crank); "Greenhouse as a Focus for Agriscience" (Hurst); and "Agricultural and Environmental Education at Milton Hershey School"…

"Never forget where you came from" is the unspoken mandate guiding Sinte Gleska University (SGU) in South Dakota. SGU and other tribal colleges help students and communities relate to the land and American Indian cultural traditions by training natural resource managers, planting gardens, building sustainable models and raising buffalo.…

Sinte Gleska University's (SGU) model for community development includes transformation of an old boarding school site, community-based collaborations in gardening and nutrition, and a bison restoration project. Tribal members learn to work with the land in harmony with tribal stewardship models as well as Western land use and agricultural…