Education Commons^™

Teaching The Logic Of Falsification: A Classroom Excercise, David Lopatto

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Every science teacher soon discovers that the intuitions students use to solve problems are frequently at variance with the critical thinking skills required by science. 1be exercise presented here focuses on the value of making scientific hypotheses and then attempting to falsify rather than confirm them. When challenged to test a hypothesis, intuitive thinkers tend to show a confirmation bias, i.e., they will propose a test in which the results will be a positive instance of the hypothesis (Einhorn and Hogarth, 1978; Wason, 1960). Scientists, on the other hand, know that tests are specific instances that cannot inductively ''prove" the …

Adding Fizz To Your Science Classroom, Andrea L. Skrukrud, Angela B. Sharpe, Wendy M. Stevens

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Have you found that your science classes just skip from unit to unit? Do you want to get away from science lessons that stress vocabulary and memorization of facts? Are you pondering how to get your students more involved in science? These were some of the questions we thought about when we designed hands-on experiences in science for upper elementary students. According to the National Research Council in Fulfilling the Promise, Biology Education in the Nation's Schools, future curriculum goals for both elementary and secondary science teaching will emphasize hands-on exploration by the students, the development of skills in observation, …

Cover - Front Matter - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Reach-Ing For Our Dreams!, Sharon Kaufman, Tom Buckley

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

More than half a decade ago, several individuals and agency and organization representatives decided it was time to act upon the belief that conservation and the environment in Iowa needed a more generous and reliable funding source. Representatives of two dozen agencies and organizations, coordinated by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, worked with several key legislators to draft the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. The program itself passed the Iowa House and Senate unanimously and, after a little haggling over funding, was signed by Governor Branstad in May 1989.

Science Notes - Iowa Students Named Exploravision Semifinalists, Amy L. Wall

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

A team from Maharishi Middle School, Fairfield, Iowa, has been named regional semifinalists in the Toshiba/NSTA Explora Vision science competition. Team members are Kathryn Bettis, Mikaila Maidment, Jessica Hawthorne and Sarah Vigmostad. Their project, Making Life Better with Virtual Reality, was judged based on their storyboard. Criteria were creativity in vision and communication, historical perspective, scientific accuracy and feasibility.

Astronomy Bulletin - The Night Sky: April 19 To May 15, 1993, P. Steven Leiker, Darrel B. Hoff

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Science Notes - Office Of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Offers New Curriculum, Elizabeth B. Sharpe

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

To meet the need for citizen awareness of the impact of nuclear waste on science and society, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (DOF/OCRWM) has developed a four-unit resource curriculum. This curriculum, Science, Society and America's Nuclear Waste, is available to educators without charge.

Science Notes - Spring Msta Conference, Elizabeth B. Sharpe

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The Minnesota Science Teachers Association extends an invitation to all Iowa teachers to attend its 1993 spring conference ''Enjoy a 'Southern Exposure.'" Sessions will be held in Rochester, Minnesota, May 6-8.

Science Notes - Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award, Amy L. Wall

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Sherman Lundy, Burlington High School, has been recognized by the Central Section of the National Association of Geology Teachers as its 1992 Outstanding Earth Science Teacher. Lundy has taught earth science at Burlington for 23 years. He also serves as a field geologist for Basic Materials Corporation in Waterloo.

Science Notes - Standardized Tests Negatively Impact Classroom Instruction

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Researchers from Boston College recently completed a three year, 1 million-dollar study sponsored by the National Science Foundation. They confirmed the belief that most standardized and textbook tests emphasize low-level thinking and knowledge and that they exert a profound, mostly negative effect on classroom instruction.

Science Notes - Usnco Announces 1993 Program, Elizabeth B. Sharpe

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The United States National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) Subcommittee of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Education invites all interested high school teachers and their students to participate in the 1993 USNCO program. USNCO stimulates young people to achieve excellence in chemistry and recognizes the accomplishments of these students and teachers as well as the importance of the school environment in which they learn.

Science Notes - Scholarship Opportunity For High School Seniors, Amy L. Wall

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

University of Northern Iowa four-year scholarships in the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, industrial technology, mathematics and physics will be available to 1994 high school graduates.

Science Notes - Relationships In Physical Science Text Book Available

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Project RAMPS (Relationships and Mathematics in Physical Science) has developed Relationships in Physical Science, a textbook based on the idea that mathematics and laboratory activities should be an integral part of science education. The mathematical exercises included in the text are intended to help students gain a better understanding of the scientific concepts they are studying. Most of the materials necessary for the activities are already in the classroom or can be obtained from a supermarket.

Science Notes - Iowa Space Grant Consortium

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Opportunities to participate in space-related projects and to receive assistance in learning more about space through grants and summer programs are now available for Iowa teachers and students. The Iowa Space Grant Consortium was established three years ago as part of NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship program. Its primary goal is to foster in Iowans an expanded interest in space and space-related fields.

Science Notes - Molecular Biology Enrichment For Youth, Elizabeth B. Sharpe

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Molecular Biology Enrichment For Youth, a laboratory science program for students entering eighth or ninth grade, will be held June 19 through July 17, 1993, at Iowa State University.

Science Notes - Article Submission Requirements

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In an attempt to standardize the format for all articles, the Iowa Science Teachers Journal has established a set of author's guidelines.

Science Notes - Program For Women In Science And Engineering, Amy L. Wall

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

As a part of its Program for Women in Science and Engineering (PWSE), Iowa State University will host career conferences entitled ''Taking the Road Less Traveled." This program is for junior and senior high girls in Iowa. The 1993 conference for grades 9-12 will be on Thursday, March 25, and the conference for grades 6-9 will be on Saturday, April 17.

Science Notes - Natural History Potpourri Workshops

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Natural History workshops are scheduled at the Conservation Education Center (Springbrook) for the weeks of June 13-18 and 20-25, 1993. The potpourri of topics includes: birds, trees, rocks, prairie plants and pond life. The week-long sessions will include field trips, lecture/discussions, slide talks and participation in activities which link the content topics to classroom activities.

Science Notes - Summer Workshop For High School Biology Teachers, Amy L. Wall

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The biological sciences faculty at Iowa State University will sponsor its first annual summer workshop for Iowa high school biology teachers. 'The workshop, funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will provide opportunities for high school biology teachers and university faculty to work together to develop and exchange new technical and educational tools for use in high school laboratories and research projects.

Science Calendar

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Index To Volume 29

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Editor's Corner - The Country Club, Carl W. Bollwinkel

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Quigley, colleagues call him "Q" for short, has his full set of golf clubs out on the front lawn. He calls all that action ''practice swings." Certainly is a lot of air being moved . . . and a few divots. These practice · sessions on the front lawn are sort of a spring ritual that coincide with election time. They're a sure sign he's prepared to deliver commentary. "Well Quig, tell me, what is the main issue in this year's country club election?" "Glad you asked, Prof." (He always calls me Prof. That's short for professional. I spend much …

Editorial Office & Staff; Officers, Iowa Academy Of Science; Executive Board & Regional Directors, Iowa Science Teachers Section

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Teaching Chemistry Safety: A Personal Issue, Judith Lemons

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

As chemistry teachers, it is our moral and legal duty to make the laboratory a safe and healthy place for our students. However, safety policies will be most effective if the students share the responsibilities for promoting safety and preventing accidents. We can help to motivate our students to remember and apply safety principles if we make safety a personal issue for each student. I have found that a student will more readily comply with laboratory rules on a regular basis if the rules are important for that student, and that student has actively participated in the safety learning process.

Cover - Front Matter - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

An Inexpensive Indicator For Acids And Baths, Susan Christensen, Yvonne Smith

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Is your shampoo acidic, neutral or basic? Put more simply: what is the pH level of your shampoo? Have you ever wished to find the correct answer to that question? If so, you can repeat the experiment that we did to find the pH, not only of your shampoo, but of many other things as well.

This project was completed for GB 303, Field and Lab Biology for Elementary Teachers, at Emporia State University. While looking through a book on teaching science to elementary children (Schmidt and Rockcastle 1982), one of us developed the idea of using red cabbage juice …

The Pessimist And The Optimist, John D. White

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Suppose that in 1945 a respected sage had been asked, "What do you see for the future?" and he had replied, "Rust, sand and soot." He would have been considered a pessimist. An optimistic sage might have replied instead: "The future will be powered entirely by atomic energy. Contagious disease will be eliminated by antibiotics such as penicillin. Harmful insects will be eradicated by DDT and similar chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides."

Astronomy Bulletin - The Night Sky: December 12, 1992 To February 15, 1993, Patrick Steven Leiker, Darrel B. Hoff

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Science Notes - Excellence In Science And Mathematics Teaching Awards, Amy L. Wall

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The 1992 Iowa finalists for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching have been announced. These individuals were nominated by colleagues on the basis of their teaching performance, experience, education and related professional activities.

Science Notes - Catalyst Awards, Amy L. Wall

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The Chemical Manufacturers Association will honor 24 outstanding teachers of science, chemistry and chemical engineering through its Catalyst Awards program in 1993.