This volume is the first of a three volume, one year program for use in junior high school, and consists of these three units: Environmental Science, Crusty Problems (earth science), and Why You're You (heredity). The environmental science unit is composed of chapters relating to these subjects: the black death (plague); energy, food chain, and related factors; three chapters on water pollution; garbage; and two chapters on overpopulation. There are 16 supplementary "excursion" activities for this unit. The earth science unit consists of a chapter on the Changing earth, the mountains, the midlands, and the shorelands. Included are 50 supplementary "resource" readings and activities for the earth science unit. The heredity unit consists of seven chapters involving activities with fruit flys, beans, peas, hereditary differences in people, and a model insect demonstrating how genetics determine individual characteristics. There are 15 "excursion" activities with this unit which provide more depth or interesting materials related to the chapter. The test is activity oriented and is designed for independent study and self pacing by the student, making it possible for the teacher to work individually with students. The work was developed with support from the U.S. Office of Education and published under 'limited' copyright authorization pursuant to the procedures of the USOE Copyright Guidelines. (PR)