With their sunny stripes and fuzzy bodies, bees are beloved--but unfortunately, they are in trouble. Bee decline, of both wild bees as well as managed bees like honey bees, has been in the news for the last several years. Habitat loss, diseases, pests, and pesticides have made it difficult for bees to survive in many parts of our world (Walsh…

Courtney Loynachan was a student in Dr. Lindquist's summer 2014 "Teaching Science in the Elementary School" methods course at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The course included an exploration of the power of writing as a learning tool for science with a particular focus on the use of science notebooks. Throughout the…

Business leaders in Minnesota cannot find the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent they need to stay competitive. Students' lagging performance in K-12 is a critical reason why. The good news is that the nation's most effective STEM education programs can help turn the tide. Minnesota students have made some gains in math…

One author shares the unique opportunity to be immersed in the science of "sound at work" through participation in NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Teacher at Sea Program. A third- through fifth-grade learning outcome within the Nature of Science section of the "Next Generation Science Standards"…

Guided by a new framework, the NAEP science assessment was updated in 2009 to keep the content current with key developments in science, curriculum standards, assessments, and research. The 2009 framework organizes science content into three broad content areas. Physical science includes concepts related to properties and changes of matter, forms…

Classroom teachers serve a critical role in developing environmentally literate citizens. In this study, the authors assessed K-8 preservice teachers' understanding of basic ecological concepts. Participants (N = 56) constructed concept maps describing the inter-relationships among 16 ecological concepts. The authors analyzed the concept maps to…

The after-school science club at Galtier Math, Science, and Technology Elementary Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota, learned some valuable lessons when they took newfound knowledge about pollution into their homes. After learning about the effects of various contaminants on health and what informed citizens can do about it, students tested…

This research paper involved preparing a bibliography for use in Minnesota schools of media for the identification of rocks, minerals, plants and wildlife found in Minnesota. The completed bibliography would also be applicable to the surrounding states and the neighboring parts of Canada. Each entry in the bibliography includes level of interest…

Describes Minnesota's approach to science education. The state has a history of "hands-on" science and a logical, sequenced middle-school curriculum based on common standards for all children that emphasizes creative thinking, inquiry, and experimentation. (LMI)

Reports fourth-grade results in a statewide science assessment program in Minnesota for grades 4, 8, and 11 and a comparable study conducted in Minneapolis. Suggests that hands-on, materials-centered elementary science programs properly managed and accompanied by inservice education are effective. (DC)

The Minnesota Sea Grant Education Sub-program provided funds to the University of Minnesota in 1980 to develop aquatic education materials (dealing with freshwater systems) for grades 5-9. The project resulted in the development and classroom testing of 13 instructional modules. A second grant (1982) funded workshops to introduce Minnesota…

Elementary Science Study (ESS) units were examined by elementary teachers on a science writing team to identify energy education concepts within the existing curriculum in Minnesota. The outline of energy education concepts is given here along with some energy education science activities for elementary students. The activities are structured into…

THE SEVENTH IN A SERIES OF 17 VOLUMES, THIS VOLUME PROVIDES THE FIFTH GRADE TEACHER WITH A GUIDE TO THE REORGANIZED SCIENCE CURRICULUM OF THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE MATERIALS ARE INTENDED TO BE AUGMENTED AND REVISED AS THE NEED ARISES. THERE IS A DETAILED OUTLINE OF SUBJECT MATTER FOR GRADE 5 FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING MAJOR AREAS AROUND…

THE NINTH IN A SERIES OF 17 VOLUMES, THIS VOLUME PROVIDES THE SIXTH GRADE TEACHER WITH A GUIDE TO THE REORGANIZED SCIENCE CURRICULUM OF THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE MATERIALS ARE INTENDED TO BE AUGMENTED AND REVISED AS THE NEED ARISES. THE SIXTH GRADE SUPPLEMENT IS IN THREE VOLUMES. VOLUME 6A HAS A DETAILED OUTLINE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER FOR…

THE FIFTH IN A SERIES OF 17 VOLUMES, THIS VOLUME PROVIDES THE FOURTH GRADE TEACHER WITH A GUIDE TO THE REORGANIZED SCIENCE CURRICULUM OF THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE MATERIALS ARE INTENDED TO BE AUGMENTED AND REVISED AS THE NEED ARISES. THERE IS A DETAILED OUTLINE OF THE CONTENT FOR GRADE 4 FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING MAJOR AREAS AROUND WHICH…