Reports findings of national survey supported by grant from Florida Institute of Government (30 states responding) on questions about legislative initiatives to raise salaries, give cash awards to excellent teachers, hire paraprofessionals, and upgrade certification standards. Warns average science teacher age is mid-40s; retirement will sharpen…

Provides strategies and topics of study designed to enhance student interest in botany using both familiar and exotic plant material to illustrate genetics, plant propagation, disease, germination, hybrid vigor, anatomy, natural insecticides, and tropisms. The relationship between plants and society is also used to develop several topics. (JM)

Describes a week-long workshop on career awareness for secondary students with hearing impairments. The workshop is designed to enhance self-image, eliminate occupational stereotyping, familiarize students with educational programs offering science training, and to give examples of available careers. Discusses workshop activities and reactions of…

Discusses indoor air pollution in general and formaldehyde in particular, citing major sources of formaldehyde in home building materials and home furnishings. Also describes a laboratory procedure necessary to test for formaldehyde levels in the air and in materials. Includes list of equipment required. (JM)

Suggests integrating creative writing activities into field trips or outdoor education experiences in science as a method of providing "right-brain" and "left-brain" activities in the same exercise. Provides instructions given to students and a poem written from student "photographs" using imaginary cameras. Also provides two student poems. (JM)

Considers the classification of organisms into five kingdoms based on evidence from molecular biology and microscopic techniques. Divides organisms into Protoctista, Monera, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia, discussing characteristics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes as related to division of the kingdoms--prokaryotes in kingdom Monera and eukaryotes in…

Argues against the five-kingdom scheme of classification as using inconsistent criteria, ending up with divisions that are forced, not natural. Advocates an approach using cell type/complexity and modification of the metabolic machinery, recommending the five-kingdom scheme as starting point for class discussion on taxonomy and its conceptual…

Develops the question of evaluating energy education programs' direction/progress in light of four goal custers identified in the National Science Foundations' Project Synthesis. Discusses important characteristics of energy education curricula using transporation as an example. Urges establishment of learning environments in which students can…

Presents results of survey on the current status of energy education conducted for the Department of Energy at the end of the 1981-82 school year. Information about how energy is taught, and what factors (including time, texts, and other materials) promoting or preventing adoption of energy education materials was gathered. (JM)

Discusses advantages of using the joule as the focus of a teaching strategy to unify the concept of energy. Includes applications to various energy forms and use of the joule in converting constants. A set of worked problems, using relationships discussed in the article, are available from the author. (JM)

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of standard high school biology and chemistry course sequences. Relates these sequences to Piagetian developmental levels as well as to David Ausubel's cognitive theory. Suggests that the sequences be reexamined in light of issues considered. (JM)

Describes new methods of collecting and examining ciliates, particularly those found in the sediments of lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Discusses extraction methods in preparation for observations in the classroom. Suggests investigations of ciliate ecology as an area of increasing research interest. (JM)

Several examples of misinformation and advanced topics included in current chemistry textbooks are provided. Suggests that since these books tend to be too long, too advanced, and too heavy, revisions should be shorter and less costly, with confusing aspects of chemistry (such as molecular-orbital theory) left out completely. (JN)

Provided are examples of science/society scenarios for biology, chemistry, and physics classes, as well as those of an interdisciplinary nature. These scenarios present some social or ethical problems related to the discipline and pose questions for student discussions. (Includes description of a project involved in developing/piloting such…

Discusses concepts that can be taught using bicycles. Includes examples of activities/experiments using these devices as well as suggestions for their use as research tools for student projects. One area of investigation suggested is an examination of variables that determine the speed at which a bicycle moves. (JN)