Discusses various ways in which snacks are used as the focal point of science lessons. They include writing a laboratory report after experimenting (and eating) lollipops and preparing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches following the exact directions supplied by students. (JN)

Describes a program which focuses on the care and study of animals. The program, part of a grades K-6 science curriculum, emphasizes science process skills and encourages students to develop a questioning attitude about the world while they gain a sizable amount of background information about the animal world. (JN)

Attempts to redefine science education as "the interface between science and society" are critically examined and rejected. Authors support the definition that science education is a discipline devoted to discovering, developing, and evaluating improved methods and materials to teach science (the quest for knowledge and the knowledge…

Defends the definition of science education as the interface of science and society, pointing out the fallacies of an alternative definition promulgated by Good, Herron, Lawson, and Renner who, in a previous article (SE 537 615) examined and rejected the science/society interface definition in favor of their own definition. (DH)

Examines the diversity of life in the oceans and ways in which teachers can explore ocean habitats with their students without leaving the classroom. Topic areas considered include: restricted habitats, people and marine habitats, pollution, incidental kills, and the commercial and recreational uses of marine waters. (JN)

Task groups (consisting of three-five students per group), for hands-on, inquiry-oriented activities can provide meaningful learning experiences, develop interpersonal skills, and save money in the classroom. Suggestions for using task groups are provided, describing a recommended instructional model, instructional strategies, and student roles in…

Using many different media, students can turn leaves into images which can be used for study, bulletin boards, collections, and identification. The simple techniques described include pastel printing, smoke prints, ink or tempura printing, bleach printing on t-shirts, ditto machine printing using carbon paper, and making cutouts. (DH)

Samara (winged seeds from maple and ash trees) can be used for open-ended inquiry or a series of directed science activities. Attributes, observations/inferences, drawing, motion, floating, seed structure, creative design, and measurement are some of the suggestions for classroom use of these seeds. (DH)

Provides: (1) background information on how trees reproduce, what they need to survive, and where they grow; (2) six activities dealing with these topics; and (3) a ready-to-copy page showing trees around the world. Each activity includes an objective, recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)

Provides: (1) background information on plant and animal relationships in forest communities; (2) four activities dealing with these relationships; and (3) five ready-to-copy pages for students. Activities include objective(s), recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)

Relates how a classroom can support and house a mini-museum of natural science. Describes the various types of exhibits and the range of activities that can be developed from them. Explains student involvement in exhibit design and use. (ML)

Discusses reasons for the success of insects, considering their size, reproductive ability, development, and adaptability. Also discusses various types of insect "homes" (such as galls and paper nests). (JN)

Discusses use of local newspaper weather maps (and related weather information) to create activities for the science classroom. Basic weather vocabulary and weather patterns are also discussed. (JM)

Discusses various plant parts used as food (including seeds, roots, stems, and leaves), emphasizing the origin of plant materials bought in the supermarket. Also discusses several concepts of nutrition, menu planning, and the relationship between food and energy from the sun. (JM)

A list of materials needed and instructions are provided for an activity in which students create a mobile illustrating the balance of nature in a food web. Indicates that the activity works best with upper elementary grades. (JN)