Presents arguments against lab dissection in the science classroom. Author discusses adult negative memories associated with earlier school dissections. Asserts that, for the early adolescent, dissection may be mingled with messages pertaining to sex, excretion, identity, and privacy. Suggests that dissection arouses a feeling of "defilement": a…

A procedure for purifying DNA using either bacteria or rat liver is presented. Directions for doing a qualitative DNA assay using diphenylamine and a quantitative DNA assay using spectroscopy are included. (KR)

Described is the author's decision to help a student find alternatives to performing several terminal experiments on animals in a college physiology class. Replacement exercises used for studying the properties of muscle types are described. Details about the difficulties and successes of the entire experience are reported. (KR)

This article explains how animals are used in research in an effort to counteract animal rights literature. Reveals how medical professionals and others trained in scholarship have misquoted the scientific literature to bolster their claims against the utility of animal research. (PR)

Describes what can be learned from animal dissections and asserts that models and videos cannot substitute for dissections. (PR)

Describes symbiosis and its significance in the day-to-day lives of plants and animals. Gives specific examples of mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism in the relationships among fungus and plant roots, animals and bacteria, birds and animals, fish, and predator and prey. (MDH)

This activity explains fisheries resource management to seven-year olds. First-grade students learn concepts such as offspring viability, life expectancy, and distribution of species, which help to determine when, where, and how people fish and the importance of fishing responsibly. Lists materials, procedures, and extensions. (SJR)

This theme issue on anomalies includes Web sites, CD-ROMs and software, videos, books, and additional resources for elementary and junior high school students. Pertinent activities are suggested, and sidebars discuss UFOs, animal anomalies, and anomalies from nature; and resources covering unexplained phenonmenas like crop circles, Easter Island,…

Suggests activities for studying the variety of life forms found and the interaction of living things during a class trip to the beach. (WRM)

Discusses an art activity that has students create pictures in which they first trace a chameleon pattern and then add camouflage to conceal the chameleon. Explains that different materials and techniques are used for students in grades k-1 and 2-5. (CMK)

Studied whether 41 Japanese 6-year olds' voluntary participation in animal care activities in school was associated with children's understanding of animal care procedures. Found that children experienced in such activities had better understanding of animal care procedures than those who were not, but levels of participation were not associated…

A study investigated the number of guide dog teams that have been trained and are active in the United States from 1993-1999. Results found 1,556 guide dog teams were trained in 1999, an increase of 7%, and that there were 9,000 active teams, an increase of 10% since 1993. (Contains eight references.) (CR)

Explains that if students want to depict predatory animals in works of art, they need to learn the shapes of the animals and their habitats. Discusses four artworks (reproductions included) that depict predatory animals by Darrel Austin, Ando Hiroshige, Antoine Louis Barye, and John Singleton Copley (CMK)

Describes how drawing can be used as a tool to help students develop and document more complex understandings not often used in science instruction. Explores how drawing can be used to learn about animals. Includes student illustrations. (SAH)

A study of 192 high school students participating the Pennsylvania Governor's School for Agricultural Sciences found that, regardless of previous agricultural experience, students had more positive views of agriculture and increased agricultural knowledge after completion of the 5-week course. The effects were greatest for students without…