Presents a series of investigations focusing on the biodegradable packing materials ("peanuts"), which provide a method for exploring science through experimentation. These activities can help fourth through sixth graders sharpen their critical thinking and science process skills. (PR)

Presents a class project to help upper elementary students grasp the extent of the solid waste disposal problem and develop an individual response. Includes background information for the teacher, project objectives, materials, procedures, and a listing for additional resources. (MCO)

Presents activities designed to allow students with backgrounds in states of matter and measurement to have a very concrete hands-on, minds-on experience with both physical and chemical changes and to compare and contrast the end products of each type of change in a concrete way. (PR)

Presents an activity to determine the identity of animals that owls ingest. Students dissect and examine the contents of "owl pellets" which are the indigestible parts of animals that are regurgitated after eating. Provides instructions for implementing and extending the activity. (MDH)

Presents career exploration activities for middle school students to stimulate interest and provide information concerning career opportunities in the science field. The activities are cited as representative of an Earth systems education curriculum approach that includes career exploration as an important aspect of science education. (nine…

Presents an activity in which students in grades 5-8 learn about snail reproduction by observing and charting the activities of land snails, freshwater snails, and slugs. Instructions to implement and extend the activity are provided. (MDH)

Described is the use of computer software to teach elementary scientific processes to sixth graders. Discussed are materials, manuals, procedures and evaluation. The results of a field trial are described. (CW)

Six major concepts of science are illustrated through the use of simple, easily equipped hands-on activities. Included in each activity are a list of materials, procedures, questions for students, and suggested discussion. Aquatic acoustics are highlighted. (CW)

Provides a lesson plan with student worksheet for teaching the concept of geologic time to middle school students. The lesson is cited as representative of an Earth systems approach to science curriculum with emphasis on the age of the earth and the fact that its subsystems are constantly evolving. (MCO)

Teaching creative thinking can be accomplished by activities in which the teacher asks questions of the students which require divergent thinking. The activities in this article do not require equipment, supplies or manipulatives. They consist of questions, possible student answers, and suggestions for follow-up. (CW)

Illustrated are five classroom projects about the relationship between weight and size in animals. Background information and procedures are provided. Ten extension activities are suggested. (CW)

Discussed are the advantages and processes of making collections with children. An activity for making a classroom collection (herbarium folios) is described and includes materials and procedures. The processes of collecting and classifying are stressed. (CW)

Six paper and pencil activities on marine ecology are presented with answers. Included are a food pyramid, a maze, a find-a-word puzzle, a sea food chain, a crossword puzzle, and a predator-prey puzzle. (CW)

Three activities--"Earth's Orbit and the Four Seasons,""Observing Rabbits," and "Solutes, Solvents, and Solutions"--are described. Included in each are background information, a list of materials, key questions, teacher preparation, teacher introduction, procedure, and follow-up activities. (CW)

Proposes engaging low achievers in science activities that appeal to their interests. Describes an example involving fishing that explores scientific concepts related to the search for bait, the fishing equipment, the use of solunar tables to determine the best time to go, processing the catch, and survival tips for the trip. (MDH)