Although empirical studies have consistently indicated that students commonly struggle to learn and understand the concepts related to reflex actions, few teaching strategies have been developed that specifically address these learning difficulties. This article introduces simple teaching models that simulate the nervous pathways related to the…

The aim of this "Science Note" is to describe how to test the electron-sea model to determine whether it accurately predicts relative electrical conductivity for first-row transition metals. In the electron-sea model, a metal crystal is viewed as a three-dimensional array of metal cations immersed in a sea of delocalised valence…

Explored is the role of thought experiments in the development of physical theories. Drawing examples from quantum theory it asks how a method that generates no new empirical data can nonetheless exert an influence upon a subject defined by its empiricism. (Author/KR)

Describes a lighted demonstration apparatus for representing the distribution of electrons, protons and neutrons in an atom. Also includes experiments with ice, forces, microscopes, spectra, and geological modeling. (CS)

Conducted classroom observations to determine students' understanding of the nature of science and the intentionality of experiments. Topics discussed include: does science seek to explain, using models, proving that the theoretical explanation is correct, and discussions of different interpretations. Concludes that most students in the 14-16 age…

Presents laboratory procedures, classroom materials/activities, and demonstrations, including: vapor pressure of liquid mixtures and Raoult's law; preparation/analysis of transition metal complexes of ethylammonium chloride; atomic structure display using a ZX81 (includes complete program listing); "pop-up" models of molecules and ions;…