Spurred by concerns about an inadequately sized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, there has been a growing interest in out-of-school time (OST) science activities as a means to foster STEM career interest. This study examines the association between OST science activities and STEM career interest in university…

"Teaching Young Adult Literature Today" introduces the reader to what is current and relevant in the plethora of good books available for adolescents. More importantly, literary experts illustrate how teachers everywhere can help their students become lifelong readers by simply introducing them to great reads--smart, insightful, and engaging books…

Since science fiction imaginatively explores the future, technology, and the human role in problem solving, it lends itself to the development of a process-oriented curriculum. Students may participate in planning, executing, and evaluating a study of science fiction, while they may learn through process goals to deal intelligently with change--a…

Presents a short section from a science fiction/fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett called "The Colour of Magic." Discusses its usefulness as a read-aloud for mathematics instruction of geometry, particularly the concept of circumference. (SR)

Science fiction deserves a greater respect, serious and critical reading and a better place in high school literature classes. Some of the science fiction books by Isaac Asimov, Alfred Bester, Ray Bradbury and Octavia L. Butler and various activities for incorporating science fiction into the English language arts instruction classroom are…

Draws on Milton's "Paradise Lost" and on motifs found within Gnostic mythology and the poetry of William Blake to explore how Philip Pullman reworks the Judeo-Christian myth of the Fall in his trilogy, "His Dark Materials." Finds at its center "Dust": a conventional metaphor for human physicality in which good and evil, and spirit and matter…

This guide focuses on communication skills within 17 courses: American literature 1 and 2, English literature 1 and 2, world literature 1 and 2, advanced composition, advanced literature, aovanced literature and composition l1and 2, film study, science fiction, modern writers, comic spirit, Afro-American literature, career English, and college…

This language arts minicourse guide for Lampeter-Strasburg (Pennsylvania) High School contains a topical outline of a science fiction course. The guide includes a list of ten course objectives; an outline of the major themes and types of science fiction covered in the course; a description of the course content with emphasis on defining and…

Profiles Gloria Skurzynski, author of more than two dozen books for children and young adults. Outlines her career and discusses some of her books: novels, mysteries, science fiction, and nonfiction. Provides an annotated bibliography of seven of her books and suggests class activities in survival, research, language arts, interviewing, science,…

This paper explores alternative approaches to the conception of scientific literacy, drawing on cultural studies and emerging practices in language arts as its framework. The paper reviews historic tensions in the understanding of scientific literacy and then draws on the multiliteracies movement in language arts to suggest a scientific…

Using supernatural events as motivation, suggests activities for discussion, story telling, and writing. (TO)

Media and Methods Reviewers discuss recent paperback books in the following categories: books for young adults, media, culture and society, science fiction, and literature and language arts. (FL)

Notes the popularity of the science fiction/fantasy genre, and offers a definition of these genres. Discusses teachers' reluctance to read or teach science fiction, but emphasizes its appeal and its usefulness. Discusses how teachers can select and use good science fiction books. Offers a checklist for evaluating such books, and suggests 18…

Science fiction merits critical appraisal for structure, characterization, language, and stylistic elements that it shares with other prose forms. This report discusses science fiction as a subject in the language arts curriculum in the middle grades as well as in the high school. It is placed in a historical and philosophical framework that makes…

This Digest argues that a well designed course of instruction can utilize motion pictures, television, and video tapes to channel a student's enthusiasm and route it to an academically useful goal. Sections of the Digest discuss what films and television offer to educators; potential applications in language arts classrooms; some other…