The 21st century has brought an increasing demand for expertise in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Although strides have been made towards increasing gender diversity in several of these disciplines, engineering remains primarily male dominated. In response, the U.S. educational system has attempted to make engineering…

Digital integration is the driving force of teaching and learning at all levels of education. As more non-traditional students seek credentialing, certification, and degrees, institutions continue to push the boundaries of innovative practices to meet the needs of diverse students. Programs and faculty have moved from merely using technology and…

Despite the expressed need for high-quality science education, very little research has been conducted on what middle school science learning opportunities look like in practice. This study was conducted in support of "Strengthening Science Education in California", a research, policy, and communications initiative. Partners in this…

Integrating environmental education into the science curriculum helps students develop environmental knowledge and attitudes. Describes an exemplary eighth-grade environmental science class, cites other similar programs, and discusses the advantages of environmental science courses over traditional science courses. (MDH)

Offers activities for educating middle school students regarding the importance of lifestyle. Activities cover eating patterns, physical exercise, and potentially hazardous behaviors. (MDH)

Ways in which middle schools can better prepare their students are presented in this report. It discusses the national pattern of underachievement in basic mathematics and science and details how schools served by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) report that almost 50 percent of their eighth-graders are below the basic level in math.…

This book for middle school science teachers is the second in a series of three safety books intended to offer positive options as they raise awareness of potential hazards in the science classroom. The book is written in narrative style and discusses safety concepts in the context of commonplace situations in real classrooms. Topics covered…

Systemic change in education refers to many facets of a community working together to support and improve how well children learn. This study examines the perceptions of teachers involved in systemic change as math and science resource teachers. In Duval County, Florida, a group of teachers were hired to assist systemic change as part of a 5-year…

Describes a lesson developed to help inform students of the essential roles that fungi play in our lives. A brief history of fungi and tips for presentation are provided. (ZWH)

Provides an easy, simple, hands-on activity to help students understand the basic concepts behind balancing chemical equations. (ZWH)

Describes three perspectives from which middle school teachers can plan laboratory activities for the purpose of improving students' scientific literacy. Perspectives are the learning cycle approach categorizing activities by stages of development; problem-solving skills approach categorizing activities according to the amount of teacher control;…

This videotape records the stories of 7 scientists, 3 women and 4 men who range in age from 33 to 81. Beginning with their earliest scientific questions and including their most personal ponderings, the scientists reveal their histories and professional obligations to affect the world. Director Michael Apted allows the personal adventures of the…

The tree house detectives go galactic with their latest project by traveling to Mars and also seeing how the Moon affects the Earth. They visit the largest radio telescope in the world and help look for intelligent life in the universe. The tree house detectives prepare for an out-of-this-world vacation as they explore the future of space travel.…

Presents an activity in which students use microscopes to examine the diversity of the roundworm species that they obtained from water and soil samples. Discusses the role of roundworms in the ecosystem. Provides a lesson plan for teacher use that includes preparation information, materials needed, lesson procedures, and suggestions to extend the…

Presents three typical lab activities involving the breathing rate of fish, the behavior of electromagnets, and tests for water hardness to demonstrate how labs can be modified to teach process skills. Discusses how basic concepts about experimentation are developed and ways of generating and improving science experiments. Includes a laboratory…