High-impact practices, and other pedagogical advancements, have been successfully used to deepen student engagement with courses over a wide variety of disciplines. Here, we describe the design, implementation, and assessment of a cross-disciplinary, inquiry-based lab course built on the proven success of these deeply engaging principles. This new…

Demonstration models allow students to readily grasp theory and relate difficult concepts and equations to real life. However drawbacks of using these demonstration models are that they are can be costly to purchase from vendors or take a significant amount of time to build. These two limiting factors can pose a significant obstacle for adding…

Inquiry methods have been successful in improving science literacy in students of all ages. Model-Based Inquiry (MBI) is an instructional model that engages students in the practices of science through the collaborative development of scientific models to explain an anchoring phenomenon. Student ideas are tested through engagement in content-rich…

Polymer education relies on generally agreed terminology and nomenclature rules. The Polymer Division of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) generates and recommends such rules for naming processes and materials in polymer science. It is the goal of IUPAC that these recommendations be applied in polymer science curricula…

The purpose of this article is to describe a model for teaching introductory biology coursework within the Vision and Change framework (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2011). The intent of the new model is to transform instruction by adopting an active, student-centered, and inquiry-based pedagogy consistent with Vision and…

A classroom demonstration model has been designed, machined and successfully tested in different learning environments to facilitate understanding of the mechanics of truss structures, in which struts are subject to purely axial load and deformation. Gaining confidence with these structures is crucial for the development of lattice models, which…

Ecofeminist science pedagogy has received scant attention in the educational literature. This article presents an ecofeminism framework for the teaching of college-level botany courses. This didactic approach emphasizes women's experiences, appreciation for the accomplishments of women in science, connection to real world learning exercises, group…

Presents suggestions intended to help physicists who have not had the benefit of teacher training workshops and programs, including, among others, those on lecturing, conducting laboratories and discussion sessions, preparing tests, and dealing with difficult subject matter. (SK)

Presents a framework for model development that, when used, will help the student (or professor) avoid the major pitfalls associated with modeling. Includes not properly identifying the controlling factors, lack of model validation and developing a model that is incompatible with its end use. (CW)

Uses simple models to illustrate the principles of this genetic method of mapping gene loci. Stresses that this system enables a practical approach to be used with students who experience difficulty in understanding the concepts involved. (CW)

In April 2003 the first European Science Olympiad took place in Dublin City University in Ireland. In this competition second level students were asked to carry out a number of tasks involving biology, physics and chemistry. Students had qualified initially in competitions in one of these subjects and were organised into integrated teams which…

Explores the applicability of Mulliken's united atom model to a variety of chemical systems and demonstrates its value as a teaching tool. Considers applications to first row hydrides, compounds of the first and second periods, heavy atoms, and cluster systems. (MVL)

We describe a simple, yet intellectually challenging model of grazing systems that introduces basic concepts in ecology and systems analysis. The practical is suitable for high-school and university curricula with a quantitative orientation, and requires only basic skills in mathematics and spreadsheet use. The model is based on Noy-Meir's (1975)…

Discusses the least squares technique and states the difficulty in finding suitable examples for using it in the chemical laboratory. Provides several least squares equations and the accompanying three dimensional drawings. Notes graphic lecture aids are available from the author as either slides or overheads. (MVL)

Discusses a method for teaching time pulsed NMR principals that are as simple and pictorial as possible. Uses xyz coordinate figures and presents theoretical explanations using a Fourier transformation spectrum. Assumes no previous knowledge of quantum mechanics for students. Usable for undergraduates. (MVL)