Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. The topic of this issue is "Let's Hear It for the Herps!" Contents are organized into the…

This digest presents an overview of ways that parents can encourage their child's learning in science. National and state standards for science knowledge and skills are discussed. The importance of parental guidance and encouragement in all subjects--science in particular--is also discussed. Suggestions are made for setting a good example, helping…

Provides examples of media coverage on interferon, herpes, and starch blockers, suggesting that biology teachers can put such coverage into broader perspective by answering student questions, explaining details, and sensitizing them to the limitations of the media. Includes resources to help teachers with this task. (JN)

Provides school counselors with resource materials for use in developing classroom guidance strategies to help students deal with attitudes toward aging. Describes use of classroom simulation activities and provides guidelines for selecting simulations and adapting commerical materials. Offers ideas for using a simulation of aging experience. (JAC)

Title, author(s), publisher, price, and review are provided for nine computer oriented publications. These include books related to the use of microcomputers in educational settings, computer assisted instruction, LOGO programming language, and the role of the computer in schools as a tutor, tool, and tutee. (JN)

Discusses topics to aid in understanding animal behavior, including the value of the biological approach to psychology, functional systems, optimality and fitness, universality of environmental effects on behavior, and evolution of social behavior. (DS)

Describes the formation, chemical structure, and several uses of coal. The history of coal usage, production processes, coal tar products, and production of petroleum and other hydrocarbons from coal are also described. (DS)

Outlines a variety of laboratory procedures, techniques, and materials including construction of a survey frame for field biology, a simple tidal system, isolation and applications of plant protoplasts, tropisms, teaching lung structure, and a key to statistical methods for biologists. (DS)

Outlines several laboratory procedures and demonstrations including electric fields using sawdust, experiments with capacitors, particle spacing in a vapor and a liquid, metrology, momentum, Moire patterns and interference fringes, equipping for practical electronics, and using programmable calculators for rapid plotting of graphs. (DS)

Reviews apparatus design and instructional uses for Fume Cupboard Monitor, Plant Tissue Culture Kit, various equipment for electronic systems course, Welwyn Microprocessor-Tutor, Sweep Function Generator SFG 606, and Harris manufacturers materials--Regulated Power Supply Units, Electronic Current and Voltage Meters, Gas Preparation Kit, and…

Outlines laboratory procedures, demonstrations, teaching suggestions, and content information related to chemistry. Topics include polarizing power; calorimetry and momentum; microcomputers in school chemistry; a constant-volume dispenser for liquids, floating magnets, and crystal lattices; preparation of chromium; and solvent polarity and…

Provides directions for constructing a wooden or metal weather vane. Also describes the construction of a "Boomerang Drum," a machine which can store and release energy, and suggests activities for use with it. (DS)

Discusses methodology for several activities which use Alka Seltzer tablets as a source of carbon dioxide gas. (CS)

Discusses various aspects of the human sciences program, including its modular format, activity-centered orientation, personalized approach, interdisciplinary nature, and flexibility in packaging. Descriptions are made for four modules within the program. (CS)