Ranger Rick's NatureScope is a creative education series dedicated to inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world while developing the skills they will need to make responsible decisions about the environment. Contents are organized into the following sections: (1) "What Makes a Tree a Tree?," including…

Activities and instructional strategies for two multigrade lessons are provided. Activity objectives include describing an artificial reef (such as a sunken ocean liner) as an ecosystem, knowing animal types in the ecosystem, and describing a food web. (JN)

Examines recent litigation based on disputes over science and technology, the burdens on the adjudicatory process, and proposed reforms. Argues that such proposals frequently misconceive the problems faced by the courts because they concentrate on the question of technical uncertainty rather than conceptual and policy issues at stake. (Author/SK)

Described is the National Sea Grant College Program which supports education and training, research, and advisory extension services through the National Office of Sea Grant and the Sea Grant Network of 30 programs in coastal and Great Lake states. Water-related topics include water's relationship to nature, society, and human expression.…

The need for society to bridge the gap between the public and the remoteness of elementary science knowledge is examined. Implications are given for the future of society without improved public education. (SA)

Discusses three research topics which are concerned with eminently practical problems and deal at the same time with fundamental fluid dynamical problems. These research topics come from the general areas of chemical and biological engineering, geophysics, and pure mathematics. (HM)

Describes how small-mammal studies in the out-of-doors can be adapted to science and environmental programs in the middle and upper secondary grades. (HM)

Discusses the importance of recognizing patterns in nature to help understand the interactions of living and non-living things. Cautions the student not to lose sight of the details when studying the big picture. Encourages development of the ability to identify local species. Suggest two activities to strengthen observation skills and to help in…

Proposes an alternative model for environmental education in natural resources emphasizing a complete systems approach. Helps people evaluate and understand natural resources based on underlying ecological principles. Attempts to account for integrating factors in the natural resource system, with land serving as the foundation resource. (MDH)

Discusses MAX, an interactive computer program for teaching identification of clay minerals based on standard x-ray diffraction characteristics. The program provides tutorial-type exercises for identification of 16 clay standards, self-evaluation exercises, diffractograms of 28 soil clay minerals, and identification of nonclay minerals. (MDH)

Adventure educators have a role in bridging the gap between ecophilosophy (the philosophy of humanity's relationship with nature) and its application to everyday work. Summarizes three reasons for the philosophy-practitioner gap, suggests a framework for bridging the gap, and describes educational strategies by which adventure programming can…

Faculty at Columbia University's Earth Semester created the interdisciplinary Riparian Area Management Project to help students integrate information and skills from life sciences, geosciences, social sciences, and humanities focused coursework. Structured as a "consulting" contract, students were required to make a policy recommendation…

This issue of ENC Focus highlights laserdiscs and CD-ROMs that encourage students to raise searching questions, enter debates, formulate opinions, and engage in problem solving and critical thinking. The laserdiscs and CD-ROMs were chosen based on the criteria of instructional design, content, and interest. Items featured include: The Chemistry…

The school site is a convenient location for study stations since it is available for short periods of time and can be used consistently. Special preparations, such as transportation, required for off-site fieldtrips can be eliminated. In addition, on-site activities provide students with concrete experiences necessary to understand difficult…

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 food chains in an estuary. Although the unit specifically treats the Chesapeake Bay, it may be adapted for use with similar estuarine systems. In addition, the unit may be…