Describes an approach to teaching that involves the use of open-ended lab investigations and evaluates students using that same approach. Argues for the use of the rubric in evaluating student performance during experimentation. (DDR)

Presents an activity with the objective that students apply and integrate what they learn about classification, food webs, and paleontology to the creation of a scientifically sound ecosystem. Students read and discuss literature selections during the unit. (DDR)

Provides background information on the tobacco mosaic virus, the first known virus. Contains historical information about the occurrence of the virus and the history of its isolation. (DDR)

Details an activity in which students use their natural inquisitiveness about their personal environment to investigate the composition of cigarette smoke. Includes techniques for measuring tar and carbon monoxide content. (DDR)

Describes a number of demonstrations for physics that employ techniques of the martial arts to illustrate Newton's second law of motion. Demonstrations focus on the breaking of wooden boards using weights. (DDR)

Explains a method to enable students to understand DNA and protein synthesis using model-building and role-playing. Acquaints students with the triplet code and transcription. Includes copies of the charts used in this technique. (DDR)

Argues for the need to provide students with independent scientific research experiences to explore scientific developments that have changed their world. Enables students to develop minds-on science skills through scientific inquiry. (DDR)

Discusses the revamping of high school biology and chemistry curricula with the guiding principles of hands-on science and performance-based assessment. Includes goal identification, program design, and a discussion on measures of success. (DDR)

Outlines a science curriculum reform effort aimed at enabling students to collect original data concerning an environmental parameter such as water quality on a yearly basis. Students track the overall health of the stream by analyzing both biotic and abiotic factors. (DDR)

Presents a method for teaching aspects of mechanics using juggling. This approach requires an understanding of the three ball juggling pattern. Recommends teacher-guided deconstruction of the ball motion and discusses acceleration, force, gravity, impulse, and momentum. (DDR)

Provides details of an activity designed to help students understand the relationship between astronomy and geology. Applies concepts of space research and map-making technology to the construction of a topographic map of a simulated section of Venus. (DDR)

Presents an activity that begins with a discussion that leads into the rationale behind the techniques used in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program. Students decode a message intended for extraterrestrials and consider a number of topics related to the possible existence of extraterrestrials. (DDR)

Details an activity in which students create and study miniature impact craters in the classroom. Engages students in making detailed, meaningful observations, drawing inferences, reaching conclusions based on scientific evidence, and designing experiments to test selected variables. (DDR)

Focuses on a method for teaching cascading natural selection that engages students in reading selections from popular and scientific literature aloud in class. An example is given of the use of one such selection about the Machupo virus. (DDR)

Presents an activity to teach natural selection that involves students in a microbiological investigation. Students discover that a change in environmental conditions tests a species' range of adaptations. (DDR)