Children do not always see a connection between themselves and other living things. Sometimes they do not even realize that they, too, are animals and represent a link in the food chain. By obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information (Scientific and Engineering Practice #8 in "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" [NRC 2012,…

Publication of the "Next Generation Science Standards" will be just short of two decades since publication of the "National Science Education Standards" (NRC 1996). In that time, biology and science education communities have advanced, and the new standards will reflect that progress (NRC 1999, 2007, 2009; Kress and Barrett…

Using the life sciences, this article first reviews essential features of the "NRC Framework for K-12 Science Education" that provided a foundation for the new standards. Second, the article describes the important features of life science standards for elementary, middle, and high school levels. Special attention is paid to the teaching…

Honeybees, butterflies, and ladybugs all have fascinating mutually beneficial relationships with plants and play important ecosystem roles. Children also love these creatures. But how do we teach children about these symbiotic interactions and help them appreciate their vital roles in our environment? One must is to give children direct experience…

"Community," "assemblage," "network," "complex," "interdependent," "web," and "synergism"--definitions of an ecosystem often include these words to highlight the dynamic interrelated workings of plants and animals with their physical environment. Young children don't understand the complexities of ecosystems, but they can begin to understand that…

Each of these outstanding selections defies the traditional image of a child "curling up with a good book." Yes, they can be a source of great personal reading, encouraging students of all ages to stretch their skills and their imagination as they interact with the printed page. But these journeys of the scientific imagination seldom end with the…

Described is the use of praying mantises as organisms to illustrate the concept of predator. (PEB)

This unit is designed to introduce the marine environment to those with little or no previous related background. Students define the marine environment, participate in group discussions, view movies, investigate oil spills, and write environmental impact statements. The first three sessions are designed to take three hours with the composition of…

PROVIDED FROM THE SCIENCE CONCEPT LEARNING PROJECT ARE (1) A PRETEST ON EQUILIBRIUM, AND (2) A POST-TEST OF KNOWLEDGE, COMPREHENSION, AND APPLICATION OF CONCEPTS OF ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS. THE PRETEST (54 ITEMS) AND POST-TEST (60 ITEMS) ARE COMPOSED OF OBJECTIVE MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEMS PREPARED FOR USE WITH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. TEST AND ITEM…

This is level two in a series of eight study guides in the field of environmental education. Intended for the middle elementary grades, this guide stresses awareness and interrelatedness of living things, their needs, meeting these needs, and man's moral responsibility. Through many suggested activities, students are helped to gain an…

Describes the nature of wetlands (low areas with shallow water or water-soaked soils supporting aquatic and semi-aquatic plants) and suggests wetlands topics and activities for science, history, and language classes. (Author/SK)

The Maryland Marine Science Education Project has produced a series of mini-units in marine science education for the junior high/middle school classroom. This unit focuses on tides and marshes. Although the unit specifically treats the Chesapeake Bay, it may be adapted for use with similar estuarine systems. In addition, the unit may be…