This curriculum supplement aims to bring cutting-edge medical science and basic research discoveries from the laboratories of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) into classrooms. The supplement was designed to complement existing life science curricula at both the state and local levels and to be consistent with the National Science Education…

Describes a game for grades three-six designed to demonstrate the interdependence between living things and the physical factors of their environment. Although instructions (including preparing game cards) are provided related to a pond, the game adapts to other environments such as a field, woodland, or desert. (Author/JN)

Describes a laboratory exercise which applies Koch's Postulates to a plant disease, bacterial speck. Includes an explanation of Koch's Postulate, list of equipment needed, advance preparation, outline of the three-week activity, and variations of the laboratory exercise. (DS)

An approach is suggested for teaching science history through inquiry training. A series of investigations are given for illustrating to students the manner in which organisms are grouped taxonomically. (SA)

The construction of a wooden model of the musculoskeletal system which can be used to investigate the physical properties of muscles without sacrificing laboratory animals is presented. Six activities are included with answers. Additional activities are suggested. (CW)

A demonstration that can be used to illustrate diffusion and osmosis is presented. Discussed are materials, procedures, and an explanation for the effect. (CW)

Described is a science activity which illustrates the principle of uncertainty using a computer simulation of bacterial reproduction. Procedures and results are discussed. Several illustrations of results are provided. The availability of a computer program is noted. (CW)

Described is an alternative method of culture isolation that uses streaking on specialized media. An activity in which different media are tested for selectivity is presented including a list of materials and procedures. A chart of colony morphology is given. (CW)

Explains an activity which can be used to compare the effect of temperature on the rate of chemical reactions to the metabolic reactions that take place within the body. Outlines directions and materials needed to perform the experiment. Lists a number of the body's defenses against extremely low temperatures. (RT)

Explains how a science teacher's experiences as a chimney sweep were used to provide new material for introducing and reinforcing scientific concepts. Photographs of chimney inhabitants were used as the raw data for student inquiries into the ecological processes taking place in and around chimneys. (RT)

Presents one teacher's classroom method for helping students to evaluate situations that are not clear-cut and easily answered. The method involves using essays that challenge students' reasoning abilities. Includes six sample essay questions and describes how they are used in the classroom. (LZ)

Reports the results of the Chautauqua Program, an effort involving 224 life science teachers grades 4 through 12 in Iowa schools, that sought to introduce Science/Technology/Society strategies to new teachers, help them develop materials, and assist in structuring an assessment program that could provide evidence that reform has occurred. (ZWH)

Describes a method of presenting Greek and Latin root words in order to teach biological terminology. Presents a sample root word list and related activity. (WRM)

This 2006 "Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework" provides a guide for teachers and curriculum coordinators regarding specific content to be taught from PreK through high school. Following this "Organization" chapter, the "Framework" contains the following sections: (1) Philosophy and…

Science is not a phenomenon restricted to one group of people. Instead it is something that is experienced by all, though often its form is unrecognized. Because science is experienced by many, one would expect that different groups of people would share common experiences in science. In an effort to determine whether there are similarities in…