Examines various types of problems that researchers have used to demonstrate problem solving. Focuses on genetics problems. Discusses classes of learning outcomes, conceptual knowledge gains, content-independent heuristics, content-specific procedures, understanding the nature of science and a typology of genetics problems. (CW)

Reviews five software packages for use with school age children. Includes "Science Toolkit Module 2: Earthquake Lab"; "Adaptations and Identification"; "Geoworld"; "Body Systems II Series: The Blood System: A Liquid of Life," all for Apple II, and "Science Courseware: Life Science/Biology" for…

Discusses displays/facilities to bring nature into schools. These include: hallway cases, cages, and aquaria (backed by bulletin boards to reinforce reading/spelling skills) holding carnivorous plants, reptiles, saltwater/freshwater fish and mammals. An outdoor learning center, farm (including 200 ducks, sheep, and cows) and weather station are…

Researchers have claimed both that female students are discouraged from taking higher level math and science courses and that they actually take more of these courses than males do. On the surface, data from the Florida community colleges would appear to confirm that females take more science and math courses than males, with 63% of the fall 1995…

The "Mapping the Human Genome" project demonstrated that librarians can help whomever they serve in accessing information resources in the areas of biological and health information, whether it is the scientists who are developing the information or a member of the public who is using the information. Public libraries can guide library…

Describes laboratory activities which encourage students to develop and test hypotheses related to the effects of changing environmental factors on plant growth. Uniform (fair) testing and careful observation and measurement, supplemented by graphing, are emphasized as important in reaching valid conclusions. (JM)

Presents a statistical analysis of the 1980 Association of Chairmen of Departments of Physiology, on which 94 medical and 4 non-medical physiology departments responded. (CS)

Emphasizes the importance of imagination in scientific discovery and science education and identifies three processes which increase the richness of the visualization experience: relaxing, concentrating, and seeing. Suggests topics for guided experiences and example models for earth/space, life, and physical sciences. (DC)

Reviews "Pathways in Science" (Globe Book Company), designed as a complete middle/junior high school science program. Strengths (including sixth-grade readability) and weaknesses (indicating that limited process skill development may not challenge more capable students). Limited process skill development and the possibility for the program…

Offers suggestions for designing outdoor activities to provide students with opportunities for exploring, observing, and discovering. Outlines several science activities for each of the following topics: trees, rocks, soil, insects, wild flowers, grasses, lichens, and clouds. (DS)

Describes various scientific techniques used to analyze physical evidence, ten areas of specialization in forensic science, courses needed by forensic scientists, and the future of forensic science. (DS)

Reviews historical background surrounding the origins of the Competitive Research Grants Office, established in 1978 to support basic research related to agriculture. Describes current controversy within the legislature which threatens its existence. (CS)

Ninety-three secondary school biology textbooks, identified in the appendix bibliography, were analyzed to determine the extent of emphasis of 44 topics concerned with the study of evolution. (HM)

Offers suggestions for leading a field trip to a pond. Such field trips encourage children to be comfortable in natural habitats, to ask questions about the natural world and to discuss the validity of the answers, understand that their behavior affects the environment, and take active part in preserving resources. Includes activities and…

Over 60 Internet biological resources are reviewed in this report in which the life sciences have been defined to include all areas of biology, agriculture, and veterinary science except those that pertain to the environment or human medicine. Includes general collections; dictionaries and biographies; online monographs; company information…