Presents the problem of evaluating teaching, especially in science education. Gives examples of science teaching skills that are difficult to evaluate. Gives examples of individual solutions being used. Announces a National Science Teachers Association survey of teacher evaluation and standards. (CW)

Reviews a National Science Foundation funded workshop ("Investigations in the Natural Sciences") for science teachers on how to use laboratory centered materials developed by the Science Education Center at the University of Oklahoma. Presents the results of a survey of the participants. Highlights the program's strengths. (CW)

Demonstrates how a spreadsheet program can do calculations, freeing students to question, analyze data and learn science. Notes several popular spreadsheet programs. Gives an example using Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets for a sampling experiment in Biology. Shows other examples of spreadsheet use in laboratory activities. (CW)

Reviews a science open house held at regular intervals at Yuba College, California. Enumerates the motivation for and the organization of the open house. Reports community wide attendance and participation. Lists the exhibits used at the open house with descriptions. (CW)

Describes a series of activities designed to help students understand the dynamics of flowing water. Includes investigations into determining water discharge, calculating variable velocities, utilizing flood formulas, graphing stream profiles, and learning about the water cycle. (TW)

Presents a chronology of scientific efforts designed to determine the age of the earth. Summarizes scientists' attempts at dating the planet's formation, including the examination of lead in the environment, the calculation of the earth's cooling temperature and time, the study of geological sedimentation and the analysis of moon rocks. (TW)

Describes a set of activities designed to help students determine whether walking or running in the rain will keep you drier. Includes a range from simple to sophisticated formulas that attempt to consider a number of variables and some basic laws of physics in the calculations. (TW)

Discusses some of the ecological variables involved with plant and animal survival during the winter months. Addresses the effects of changing climatic conditions on habitats, foot-loading indexes, and the overall concept of adaptation. Provides some simple teaching activities dealing with winter survival. (TW)

Describes four classroom activities that deal with a variety of scientific concepts. Discusses lessons on the cycles of matter in ecosystems, the calculation of the height of tall objects, bleaching techniques for bones, and the effects of force on sound when closing doors. (TW)

Provides reviews of four computer software packages designed for use in science education. Describes courseware dealing with a variety of tips for teaching physics concepts, chemical reactions in an aqueous solution, mitosis and meiosis, and photosynthesis. (TW)

Reviews the procedures and activities involved in establishing a weather satellite tracking station. Discusses how the students and community participated in the project. Highlights the activities resulting from student efforts in the project. (ML)

Offers suggestions and outlines ten easy steps for assuring a safer science classroom environment. Includes such recommendations as: scheduling a safety inspection; displaying safety posters; enforcing a laboratory dress code; establishing a safety reference library; and updating safety report forms and procedures. (ML)

Presents a series of activities that use dinosaurs as a theme for teaching biological and geological concepts. The activities can be adapted for use with middle school through college level biology students. Exercises address such topics as: evolutionary relationships of vertebrates; Mesozoic ecology; animal tracks; and mineral replacement…

Discusses the approach taken in a science project program at a math/science/computer magnet school. Explains the procedures, student requirements, and scheduling needs of the program. Contains a checklist of 17 steps for completion of the project. (ML)

Explains how the muscle and bone arrangement of the human body can be used in teaching the principles of simple machines. Presents an activity that investigates the lever system of the forearm. Includes background information on levers and suggests questions for classroom discussion. (ML)