Promoting family learning around science represents an important opportunity to reinforce science learning during out-of-school time. Evidence suggests that parent-child discourse around science can promote inferential thinking by children and help solidify their understanding of science concepts. While teacher professional development that…

Informal Science Education (ISE) programs have been increasing in popularity in recent years. The National Research Council has laid out six strands that ISE programs should try to address, including increasing interest, knowledge, and allowing participants to engage in scientific activities. Past research suggests that informal settings can…

A Framework for K-12 Science Education indicates that introducing young children to scientific and engineering practices, core disciplinary ideas, and crosscutting concepts during the early years is essential for the development of conceptual understanding in science. Unfortunately, science is infrequently included in preschool and primary…

Preservice teachers (PSTs) participated in Family Science Learning Events (FSLEs) at a university designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. PSTs were required by the instructor to conceive and design culturally relevant science activities as well as implement these activities with K-8 students and their families during three separate FSLEs…

Chemical principles are taught in elementary education across much of the United States because the "National Science Education Standards" include concepts about the nature of matter, states of matter, and changes in matter among other science concepts within the first to fifth grade levels. "Chemicals" is a word related to the nature of matter…

William Buckland (1784-1846) first identified and scientifically studied coprolites in the early 1820s. Although some of his contemporaries did not look favorably upon him or his research, Buckland's early experiments advanced paleoecology and taphonomy. Because our informal presentations with coprolites resulted in students' spirited reactions,…

Presents a series of activities intended to enable teachers to determine if children are ready to be introduced to the concept of speed. Reviews Piaget's theories and the empirical evidence on which the sequence is based. (Author/CP)

Provides methods by which one may include historical aspects of the growth and development of chemistry into a secondary school curriculum. Includes a selected bibliography of materials related to the history of chemistry. (CP)

Construction of a laboratory area suitable for laser experiments and the creation of holograms is described. (CP)

Details approaches which may be used to present energy related topics to secondary school students. (CP)

Presents data from a study to show that a mystique effect can occur for classroom students. Recommends that teachers provide orientation session before content objectives are taught. (CP)

Describes an activities approach to the Man-Made World that is organized as a series of mini-courses to enable disadvantaged and unmotivated students to achieve a degree of technological literacy. (GS)

Outlines an experimental procedure in which an iodine radioisotope is used to determine molar combining ratios of lead and silver with the iodine. Tables and graphs show the definitive results that should be attainable. (CP)

Advocates the use of manipulative and observational science activities as the basis for children's experience stories that can be used as material for reading and language arts programs. (CP)