Discusses 27 chemical demonstrations involving inexpensive, readily available materials that illustrate the following concepts: acid/base properties, gas properties, characteristics of carbon dioxide, chemiluminescence, freezing point depression, heat of vaporization; density, polymers, surface tension, polarity/nonpolarity, UV absorption,…

Presents positive aspects of lesson design models in science instruction. Rebukes arguments made within an accompanying article that argues against lesson design models. States that lesson designs, if correctly viewed as planning guides, are always valuable in science teaching. Mentions an unnamed study that provides evidence of the effectiveness…

Argues against the forced use of generic lesson design in science instruction. Asserts that teaching modules are popular among administrators because they seem to provide accountability. However, modules often promote traditional ideas in teaching, and administrators seldom investigate claims of programs. Critiques research cited by the Hunter…

Describes a high school biology assignment that had students read a self-selected book where the main character experiences nature and is changed by it. Evaluation was based on journal entries and a formal paper. Seventy percent of the students indicated they greatly enjoyed the assignment. (PR)

Explains how insects can be used to stimulate student writing. Describes how students can create their own systems to classify and differentiate insects. Discusses insect morphology and includes three detailed diagrams. The author provides an extension activity where students hypothesize about the niche of an insect based on its anatomy. (PR)

Presents a teachers search for solutions to the problem of students not listening in science class. The author discovered the sequential nature of aural Origami is an excellent method for getting students to listen. Used cassette tape recordings of the paper folding directions twice a week for a month. Students test scores improved as well as…

Contrasts receptive learning (rote learning) with meaningful learning. Explains that people construct knowledge based on what they already know. Concept maps are used to organize and represent knowledge and help the learner construct new meanings in a subject. Gives examples of concept maps created by scientists. (18 references) (PR)

Discusses activities to investigate rock art in science courses. (MKR)

Describes a research program that monitors the air for pollen and molds. (MKR)

Presents a model that integrates high school science with the needs of the local scientific community. Describes how a high school ecology class conducted scientific research in fire ecology that benefited the students and a state park forest ecologist. (MKR)

Presents examples of one rubric style and different ways that rubrics can be used. Uses the example of developing student understanding of how energy moves through the atmosphere. (MKR)

Presents topography activities. Includes a chart of topographic mapping symbols. (MKR)