Describes an undergraduate course taught at the University of Dubuque (Iowa) that examines the political economy of urban development in a historical frame of analysis and emphasizes experiential learning. Traces the conception, design, and delivery of this course. Offers results of an evaluation by those who contributed to the course. (KO)

Describes "Architecture and Children," a traveling exhibition which visually involves children in architectural principles and historic styles. States that it teaches children about architecture, and through architecture it instills the basis for aesthetic judgment. Argues that "children learn best by concrete examples of ideas, not…

Outlines a three-day unit for presenting biotechnology. States that the approach surveys the processes of enzyme restriction, ligation, transformations of recombinant plasmids, and gel electrophoresis. Diagrams accompany the article. (RT)

Examines students' frequent failure to write meaningful essays in light of their inability to use personal experience as a basis for their writing. Compares the processes of writing and experiential learning. Suggests ways of transforming writing assignments into learning experiences. (DMM)

Integrated programs need evaluation designs that fit with their curricular and instructional designs. Student evaluations for integrated programs should incorporate three characteristics: evaluation should be developed out of local needs; the means developed should be perceived as intrinsically worthwhile activities; and evaluations should center…

One creative way that elementary science educators can teach their students about animal communication is to give them glow sticks and a set of cards with descriptions of what different firefly flash signals mean. The paper describes such a project and presents related activities. (SM)

Applied academics is the watchword in several West Virginia secondary schools. Instead of sitting in classrooms, junior high students are measuring floor tiles, estimating stadium seating capacity, or launching models to study acceleration; high school students are creating a complicated model-railroad layout and a computer-controlled system to…

In the nation's capital, 53 schools are participating in the Comer School Development Program, which sponsors meaningful, engaging activities involving students, parents, and community members. The Comer framework comprises three school governance mechanisms (the school development team, the parent program, and the mental health team), three…

Overviews articles in this issue that focus on the current status of adventure therapy and describe efforts aimed at defining a framework for conceptualizing adventure therapy. Notes changes in the field, including introduction of state laws requiring licensure of programs, the drive for program accreditation, and growing training opportunities in…

Describes one kindergarten classroom's experience creating a rock and fossils museum exhibit and the excitement and learning that occurred when the children become directly involved in the project. Using the framework of the project approach, math, science, art, writing, and social studies content areas were involved. (ET)

Learning activities related to visiting a salad bar can help students apply basic nutrition concepts to real-life situations and make healthier choices at restaurants and in food preparation. The paper describes a class activity involving students in setting up a salad bar, making choices among ingredients and dressings, and taking home leftovers.…

Environmental education is best pursued through concrete interaction with nature rather than by importing classroom materials to the outdoors. Plants and animals provide living illustrations of fundamental concepts, and items found in nature can be used to demonstrate learning in ingenious ways. (JW)

The Rindge School's innovative curriculum is based on the following principles: the importance of academic knowledge in technical training; teaching of all aspects of an industry; student participation in community development projects; and interdisciplinary courses, career pathways, and internships. (SK)

Connecting students to reading and writing means connecting them to real-world readers and writers. Writers' Day at one Pennsylvania middle school was established to bring regular working professionals (not authors or poets) from the community to school to share how writing is used in their professional and personal lives. All participants…

The subsistence living and rich culture of the Gwich'in Indians in Arctic Village, Alaska, depends upon the yearly return of the caribou to their wintering grounds. In this remote village, elders often conduct classes outdoors for the village children who learn to trap, fish, hunt, and dig ground root. (KS)