Graphing predictions is especially important in classes where relationships between variables need to be explored and derived. In this article, the author describes how his students sketch the graphs of their predictions before they begin their investigations on two laboratory activities: Distance Versus Time Cart Race Lab and Resistance; and…

Substantial growth of Hispanic and Asian immigration in the United States during the past decade has begun to affect almost all school systems, not just those in urban or coastal areas. This realization has led the author to choose Developing a World View for Science Education as the theme for his National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur in the U.S. each year; 5,000 are fatal. Most of these illnesses are caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites and the remaining are poisonings triggered by harmful toxins or chemicals. To Jack Guzewich, a foodborne disease…

Two science questions are answered: (1) How can someone have one brown eye and one blue eye?, and (2) Why are magnets attracted to some metals, but not all metals? It is very rare that a human will have two irises of different colors. This condition, heterochromia, can be a normal variant or the result of an ocular disease. Heterochromia can…

This article features questions regarding logarithmic functions and hair growth. The first question is, "What is the underlying natural phenomenon that causes the natural log function to show up so frequently in scientific equations?" There are two reasons for this. The first is simply that the logarithm of a number is often used as a replacement…

To help students learn science concepts, Pharmacology Education Partnership (PEP)--a science education program that incorporates relevant topics related to drugs and drug abuse into standard biology and chemistry curricula was developed. The interdisciplinary PEP curriculum provides six modules to teach biology and chemistry principles within the…

State-of-the-art digital cameras open up enormous possibilities in the science classroom, especially when used as data collectors. Because most high school students are not fully formal thinkers, the digital camera can provide a much richer learning experience than traditional observation. Data taken through digital images can make the…

In this article, the author describes his experience conducting an inquiry investigation in his classroom in which high school physics students design, create, and race a solar-powered vehicle. Students learn invaluable science, technology, mathematics, communication, and critical thinking skills. Fueled by their knowledge, creativity, and the…

Due to unavailable effective methods for teaching science to language-minority students, science teachers attempting to teach bilingual students experience frustration and become disheartened and discouraged. Often, science teachers only learn successful minority-language teaching strategies through trial and error or through networking and…

Discusses biology instruction focusing on evolution-related policies and state guidelines. Reports on teacher preferences for teaching either creationism or evolution in science classes and compares these results between states based on grade level and how they treat evolution in their educational standards. (Contains 26 references.) (YDS)

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), led by a panel of K-12 science teachers, has developed a new position statement, "Responsible Use of Live Animals and Dissection in the Science Classroom." This statement examines the issues surrounding the integration of animals into the K-12 science curriculum and highlights key considerations that…

Presents views on the integration of indigenous science into science teaching and discusses the rationale of this act. (Contains 21 references.) (Author/YDS)

Points out the important role of scientists in society as educators. Explains problems caused by not understanding the theory of evolution and discusses possible solutions. First published in 1966. (YDS)

Questions introductory courses' ability to truly teach students about science. Explains teaching difficulties caused by students' approach to science. Aims to convince science teachers to use case studies which help students evaluate arguments critically. First published in 1986. (YDS)

Speculates on the negative effects on children while focusing on saving the environment. Proposes that children have been frightened by the presentation of this information and suggests acceptable ways of integrating environmental education topics into the curriculum. (DDR)