Presents a 4-week set of activities to engage 5th grade students in real-life applications of chemistry. Students solve a crime of theft through the use of mystery powders, chromatography, scientific analysis of cloth, and fingerprinting. (NB)

Discusses "The Big Empty" or, the Great Basin. Suggests that it is not empty but rather a great ecosystem rich in plants, animals, and minerals. Presents information and activities to guide students in exploring the Great Basin in order to understand the ways in which such an arid and seemingly harsh environment can support so many living things.…

Presents a unit on insects. Describes collecting insect specimens from the front grille of a car for study. Students develop keen observation skills, learn to identify body parts, and begin to appreciate the enormous diversity of insects. Concludes that students showed positive change in their attitudes toward insects. (NB)

A trip to the zoo can be a terrific way for young children to learn about animals, especially using planned learning experiences. Presents some activities for use before, during, and after a trip to the zoo. (NB)

Study examined the validity of self-reported delinquency and socio-emotional functioning of 48 court-probated juveniles. In summary, the youth acknowledged involvement in more delinquent activities than were reported by their parents or noted in probation records. Adolescent self-report may play a critical role in the identification of effective…

Compares detection rates of the Referral Decision Scale (RDS) with a short, officer-administered booking questionnaire at a low capacity jail. Although RDS produced a higher number of false positives, it correctly identified more mentally ill inmates than did the booking procedure. Results suggest that combining both instruments may provide the…

Study (a) investigated differences in demographic variables, previous delinquent/criminal behavior variables, family system variables, juvenile court system variables, and subsequent delinquent behavior variables between court-involved juvenile delinquent youth who did and did not receive services; and (b) created a predictive model that would…

Study explored the applicability of client participation in the supervision process with young probationers who are usually regarded as immature and lacking both the self confidence and the ability to make "right" decisions. Findings indicate that youth probationers can participate in the service if allowed to, and support the promotion of the…

Positions the science program in such a way that it becomes vulnerable to positive and effective changes thereby allowing needed reform to occur. Suggests a lack of effective inservice and preservice preparation of science teachers and proposes the science supervisor as being instrumental in bringing about change in the science program at the…

Discusses what a science supervisor from Texas would like to see more of in future issues of this journal. (KHR)

Discusses areas of agreement among science education reformers and addresses fundamental problems if real reform is to emerge. Suggests the science-technology-society (STS) approach for improving the teaching and learning of science. (KHR)

Discusses the usefulness of in-depth reviews and the problem with reviews of science textbooks for science teachers and supervisors. (KHR)

Describes a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project in which hands-on science became the predominant mode of instruction in a school district. Explores the effectiveness of the program and its implications for the future and the science supervisor. (KHR)

Compares whole language and process-oriented science and discusses the similarities between them. (KHR)

Presents research and related design features that distinguish a new generation of teacher enhancement efforts along with the design and results of evaluation approaches for a specific program. (KHR)