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OUTDOOR ADVENTURESElementary science teachers can have a challenging time of finding ways to attract the minds of young students in the science classroom. The combination of short attention spans and abstract science concepts can make a simple assignment turn into a daunting task. Science teachers, however, have numerous resources they can rely upon in their communities to make learning fun and exciting for students. For example, some educators have planted gardens to teach students about good nutrition and how to care for plants. Teachers have also "adopted" airline pilots to help students learn lessons about flight. Elementary science educators will find dozens of resources—news and journal articles, websites, and books—in this issue of Science Class to help students combine the outdoors and learning in an exciting science adventure. Read on and enjoy! Outdoor Adventures in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Service. When businesses and schools connect, the result can be a rewarding outdoor adventure. Read how two schools have started new programs with community-based organizations to help students enhance their skills outside the science classroom. Click here to read the latest: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-04/news_stories_elementary.htm Outdoor Adventures on the Net SciLinks® is an interactive, web-based service from NSTA that connects your lesson and/or course materials (certain textbooks, NSTA books, and journal articles) with online content chosen just for your selected topics. Watersheds: http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263562110441033 Outdoor Adventures in NSTA Journal Articles The following journal articles provide you with ideas for classroom lessons and activities related to outdoor adventures. From this month's Science & Children issue: http://www.nsta.org/elementaryschool From the Science & Children archives:: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-04/elementary.htm Books on Outdoor Adventures Check out these titles from NSTA Recommends: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-04/books_elementary.htm Outdoor Adventures in April's Science & Children Check out the many online extensions offered in the April issue of Science & Children. Click here to learn more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-04/elementary_extensions.htm Professional Development The U.S. Department of Education publishes a report of Exemplary and Promising Science Programs. Each description includes a general overview, a discussion of related professional development, program costs, a description of program quality, evidence of the program's effectiveness and success, the program's educational significance and usefulness to others, and ordering and contact information. The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse brings you that report. Click here to learn more: Exemplary and Promising Science Programs 2001 Part 1 (PDF version) http://quine.enc.org/web_graphics/documents/ART/002978/exemplary2001_1.pdf Exemplary and Promising Science Programs 2001 Part 2 (PDF version) http://quine.enc.org/web_graphics/documents/ART/002979/exemplary2001_2.pdf NSTA Opportunities Write for NSTA's Journals To learn more, visit: Science & Children (Grades PreK–5) http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-04/sc.htm Meet Author Lynne Cherry! The award-winning author of The Great Kapok Tree will answer your questions throughout the month of April. Lynne Cherry's book is aimed at elementary students, but readers of all grade levels are invited to join the discussion. Click here to join the discussion: http://www.nsta.org/main/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=47 Next Month's Theme: Alternative Assessments to Standardized TestingIf your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to: http://www.nsta.org/newsletters. If you have a text-only browser or are having any difficulties with our links, please visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2003-04/member_elementary.htm. THE FINE PRINTThis
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