As plants and seed dispersal are common themes in primary science, the author thought that she would share an enquiry challenge activity that addresses many of the "working scientifically" objectives of the National Curriculum for England. Year 3 and 4 children had a whole afternoon made up firstly of "playing", planning and…

In this article, Claas Wegner, Phillip Weber, and Stephanie Ohlberger share how they have been teaching about variation and staple food crops in the teaching unit they tested with 8- to 10-year-old children. They started by showing some products made from crop plants and asking the class to carry out a simple comparison of similarities and…

Throughout the United Kingdom's (UK's) primary science curriculum, there are numerous opportunities for teachers to use the farming industry as a rich and engaging real-world context for science learning. Teachers can focus on the animals and plants on the farm as subjects for children to learn about life processes. They can turn attention…

As well as providing a valuable and enjoyable experience for pupils, outdoor learning also enhances and contextualises learning in science by helping pupils understand science concepts. Teachers' lack of confidence in which aspects of the science curriculum they can actually teach outdoors deters them from venturing outside the classroom for…

This article describes the final lesson within a seven-day STEM and literacy unit that is part of the Picture STEM curriculum (pictureSTEM. org) and uses engineering to integrate science and mathematics learning in a meaningful way (Tank and Moore 2013). For this engineering challenge, students used nature as a source of inspiration for designs to…

Young children love to draw, and should be encouraged to explore drawing as a communication tool. Drawing is a means by which children can express their thoughts, interests and feelings, long before they learn to write. We know that: "children's drawings are vehicles for expression and communication" (Chang, 2012, p. 187). This form of…

An HPLC undergraduate experiment on the analysis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been developed. Two commonly used herbs ("glycyrrhizae radix" and "cinnamomi ramulus") are studied. Glycyrrhizin, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde are chosen as markers for the herbs. The dried herbs in their natural state and a TCM…

The seashore is many things: (1) a place of wonder and delight--inspiring artists and composers; (2) a place of work--for transport and fishing; and (3) a place for play--for sandcastles, surfing and swimming, sailing. In this article, the authors offer some tips on exploring the flora and fauna of the seashore. (Contains 3 boxes and lists 4…

The exciting world of plants may be something of a mystery to many children, and the often-dry content of a curriculum taught indoors inhibits real understanding of many complex biological processes. Moving outdoors opens up an unexplored world and presents rich opportunities for imaginative learning. The "Life processes and living…

The study reported in this paper intended to trace what Chinese children think about life and identify their naive theories. Fifty-eight 5-year-old children in Taiwan from 39 kindergartens were interviewed using a semi-structured instrument. Results indicate that preschool children have preconceptions about the concept of life even before entering…

This research paper focuses on "teacher-led" primary school visits to the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. It considers the objectives of school visits and the aims of the Eden Project. The strategies used by the Eden Project to convey their messages are investigated and effective strategies for learning are evaluated, based on…

The method for extracting and separating hydrophobic photosynthetic pigments proposed by Katayama "et al." ("Japanese Journal of Phycology," 42, 71-77, 1994) has been improved to introduce it to student laboratories at the senior high school level. Silica gel powder was used for removing water from fresh materials prior to…

The objective of this book is to provide background information and possible teaching approaches to enable teachers to tackle the study of trees confidently. The book should help students to: (1) gain awareness, sensitivity, and basic understanding of trees and their interactions with the plants and animals in their environment; (2) cultivate…

This booklet contains 20 activities designed to make students aware of the intricate linkages between soil, water, and vegetation, and how mismanagement damages the environment. Under this broad theme a wide range of concepts is covered. The activities help develop skills of observation, measurement, data collection, model-making, and creative…

This booklet provides reference materials for teachers of social studies in the Northwest Territories (Canada). The information was gathered during workshops attended by elders, community representatives, and teachers from the region. A geography section describes the location of Pangnirtung on Baffin Island and the geology, climate, vegetation,…