The article, "Using Animations in Identifying General Chemistry Students' Misconceptions and Evaluating Their Knowledge Transfer Relating to Particle Position in Physical Changes" (Smith and Villarreal, 2015), reports that a substantial proportion of undergraduate students expressed misconceived ideas regarding the motion of particles in…

Cognitive science research shows that the brain has two systems for processing visual information, one specialized for spatial information such as position, orientation, and trajectory, and the other specialized for information used to identify objects, such as color, shape and texture. Some individuals seem to be more facile with the spatial…

Highlights the value and need for instruction in logic in the sciences. Describes a geology course for nonmajors which incorporates elements of logic. Explains how principles were identified and how materials and activities were developed for the course. (ML)

This paper analyzes Bogdanov's theory of knowledge as found in philosophical dialogues and essays. The style of Bogdanov's writing and his ideas on philosophy, science, scientific constructs, truth, human knowledge, objectivity and ethics are discussed. These ideas are compared to the constructivist view of knowledge. (CW)

The purpose of this study was to develop a procedure for the evaluation of M-demand of chemistry problems. It was shown that dimensional analysis upon the Neo-Piagetian theory of Pascual-Leone could help science teachers to understand the epistemological basis of their discipline. (CW)

Suggests that problem-solving ability of science students is associated with students' ability to organize the information provided in a problem into memorizable patterns. This hypothesis, derived from research studies, is exemplified by reference to chemical problems and its educational implications. (Author/GS)

Liberal arts graduates should be educated in these aspects of science: hypothesis and experimentation as the basis of scientific thought, problems of translating scientific thought into economic and social benefits, concepts of probability and uncertainty, and conflicts in scientific, technological, and public policy goals. (MSE)

Drawing parallels with critical thinking and creative thinking, this document describes some ways that scientific thinking is utilized. Cognitive approaches to scientific thinking are discussed, and it is argued that all science involves an attempt to construct a testable mental model of some aspect of reality. The role of mental models is…

Expresses the opinion that education has overemphasized the written word and needs to move back to the oral tradition. Warns that Americans are trained to use the left brain whereas much of engineering needs right brain processing. Gives perspectives to improve engineering education. (MVL)