Describes a method of organizing and handling senior undergraduate thesis projects. Discusses the benefits and disadvantages of conducting them. (YP)

Some common themes of cartoons that use science as a subject are identified. Cartoons that deal with the topics of theory, the universe, school, the relationship between science and technology, and the nature of science are included. The sociology of scientific humor is discussed. (KR)

Presents an analogy used in introductory college chemistry to help students understand the procedure for determining the percentage purity of sodium carbonate. Employs a monetary analogy. (DDR)

Offers perspectives and specific ways of developing and nurturing critical and creative problem-solving skills with engineering students. Provides examples of exercises and approaches that aim in stimulating creativity and in providing understanding of course material. (ML)

Examines the pros and cons of laboratory instruction. Complaints lodged against laboratory instruction include its high cost, and lack of research supporting the lab. Justifications listed include science education research supporting the lab, psychology, and common sense. (DS)

The forces and torques experienced by the spine are examined to understand, and possibly avoid, low back pain. The structure, degrees of freedom, forces and torques when lifting objects, an experimental study, and other factors affecting the back are discussed. (KR)

Proposes that preparative chemistry is an important and integral part of chemistry as a whole, and an excellent way to introduce students to descriptive chemistry. Provides an outline for students to follow for converting and transforming salts. Suggests a set of general guidelines for studying anion and cation transformations. (TW)

Differentiates between problems, exercises and algorithms. Discusses the role of algorithms in solving problems and exercises in chemistry. Suggests that very real differences exist between solving problems and exercises, and that problem solving steps can be and should be taught in chemistry education. (TW)

Indicates that although computers may churn out creative research, science is still dependent on science education, and that science education consists of increasing human experience. Also considers uses and misuses of computers in the science classroom, examining Edgar Dale's "cone of experience" related to laboratory computer and "extended…

The results of actual student participation, with organized group discussions, which show that laboratory teaching remains the premiere mechanism for teaching and learning organ-system physiology are discussed. Laboratories using a pithed frog, a turtle heart, an anesthetized rabbit, and noninvasive recordings from students during exercise are…

Discusses the current and future roles of two-year colleges in science, mathematics, and engineering education. (PR)

Examined are some of the distinctive features of the biological sciences. Discussed are the use of models with case studies, universal principles, and alternative frameworks. (CW)

Uses capillarity as an example of a problem in physics which has been explained mathematically in two different ways. Argues that only one explanation is indeed valid and demonstrates this opinion through experimentation and discussions. Proposes that mathematics should be used in physics as a tool to predict, not to explain. (TW)

The improvement in student attitudes as the result of the use of videomicroscopy in the science classroom at the elementary, secondary, and college levels is discussed. The results of published research studies are reviewed. (CW)

Discusses why creation science could be discussed in a high school biology class. Examines the debate that exists between scientific creationists, biblical literalists, and traditional scientists regarding the teaching of creation science in schools. Describes how discussion of this debate could help students understand the nature of science. (CW)