"What starts out long but gets shorter then longer each day?" Shadows! This student's clever riddle was an opportunity to investigate how the Sun's daily position in the sky influences shadow length. Thus began a mini-lesson which was created to help third-grade students understand that a shadow occurs when an opaque object blocks light (Shapiro…

Focuses on inquiry-based science instruction for third grade elementary school students. Presents an activity on analyzing data using a graph. Explains what students learn from inquiry-based instruction. (YDS)

Presents two activities, the "Super Bubble" that challenges students and parents to blow the biggest bubbles and "For Fingers Only" that asks them to duplicate a pattern of blocks using only the sense of touch. (JRH)

Describes the Evening Science program, a science enrichment program for K-6 students and their parents where students and parents engage in problem-solving activities that encourage science learning for the whole family. (JRH)

Describes a series of exercises designed to develop student's perceptual skills and to improve the processes of comparing, describing, and developing subsets. Includes suggestions for adapting the exercises into science lessons, providing tips for developing each into complete units. Units include human-made objects, leaves, shells, rocks, and…

Describes the purpose and preparation of a science unit box which contains materials, ideas, and resources for more effective science teaching. Lists and explains the 14 basic components that each box should contain including behavioral objectives, manipulatives, science concept and process list, and lesson plans. (RT)

Describes a fourth-grade unit on density which introduces a concept useful in the study of chemistry and procedures appropriate to the chemistry laboratory. The hands-on activities, which use simple equipment and household substances, are at the level of thinking Piaget describes as concrete operational. (BC)

Described is the use of ordinary ceramic magnets to replace the more expensive bar magnets commonly used. Suggestions for 11 task cards to help introduce children to the uses and principles of magnetism are provided. (CW)