Discusses the management of the earth's water resources. Describes the global water cycle and the status of water pollution. Recommends that a water-management project should lean toward increasing the efficiency of water consumption rather than toward increasing the supply of water. (YP)

Presents a lesson, Scientific Literacy Is a Lifetime Skill, that provides thought and discussion on science as an aspect of everyday life. Uses concept mapping to help students explore from their perspective the relationship between formal science education and real-world situations. (JRH)

Interviews of (n=10) science coordinators about their views of science/technology/society (STS) education found that, although they saw the value and need to integrate STS into science, they saw academic preparation as the only goal for academic high school science courses. (21 references) (MKR)

Argues that current thinking about science teaching and conceptual change needs to be counterbalanced by contextual or cultural constructivist ideas. A collaborative view should include the sociological study of cultural milieus in which scientific ideas arise. The logic of discovery from a sociological point of view implies that conceptual change…

A science teacher describes his experience at a workshop to learn to teach the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Science Laboratory Protocols. These protocols lead students through processes for taking E. coli cells and transforming them into a new antibiotic resistant strain. The workshop featured discussions of the role of DNA recombinant technology in…

Describes a secondary level lesson based on the Johnstown Flood in 1889. Includes maps, photographs, and readings designed as student resources. (CFR)

Describes student work in collecting data about the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island and how their research contributed to the decision to close the landfill. Includes discussion of research into other trash alternatives for the area. (DDR)

Investigates the effectiveness of two different types of interviews: one that embeds a concept map, and one that does not embed a concept map in order to elicit post-instructional understandings. Focuses on students' understandings of chlorofluorocarbons and their role in global atmospheric change. Contains 71 references. (DDR)

States that the ecological role of Sphagnum species in peatlands is enormous. Presents a cation exchange experiment and background information on the characteristics and economic importance of Sphagnum. Contains 42 references. (DDR)

Although the film and play "Inherit the Wind" is sometimes thought to be an accurate depiction of the Scopes Trial, there are many major inaccuracies. Summarizes the major differences between what is portrayed in "Inherit the Wind" and what happened in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925 at John Scopes's trial. (WRM)

Describes the organization and completion of a scientific field trip for a group of high school physics students that was organized primarily around a study of the Manhattan Project. The group visited the Trinity site, Los Alamos, several museums, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array. Contact information for the various…

Suggests improvements for implementation of the "Views on Science-Technology-Society" instrument. Analyzes the scaling properties of some scoring procedures within the unique response model and discusses ways to produce "best fidelity" measurements. Presents a multiple-response model that could take advantage of all the…

Students should have an understanding of basic Global Positioning System (GPS) principles as well as an awareness of how the technology will impact society in the future. Provides a brief overview of the evolution, principles, and applications of GPS together with suggested activities. (Contains 25 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes ways in which newspaper articles can serve science teachers as a springboard for discussion, creativity, prediction, and understanding in science classrooms. Articles can be used to study historical scientific discoveries, design lesson plans, and boost scientific literacy. (PVD)

Reports on the process of reform in a school environmental education program from the perspective of a staff member hired at a high school under construction. Focuses on the recognition that a swamp area on the property is an important curriculum resource. (DDR)