Governance and regulation of the use of live animals in research and teaching is examined in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan and India. A comparison of the systems in different countries will enable the determination of best practice and fit-forpurpose regulation. The most comprehensive government…

Professional vision is a key ability in the professional development of pre- and in-service teachers as it determines how professionals perceive and interpret situations. The aim of this study was to conceptualize an instrument for professional vision focusing on formative assessment in the context of scientific inquiry. This focus is highly…

The antioxidative capacity of phytochemical compounds is often discussed in life science courses (to prevent or slow cancer) and food science courses (to prevent the oxidation of sensitive ingredients). Thus, we developed a laboratory experiment where the photochemical reaction of lightsticks is used to qualitatively demonstrate the antioxidative…

The aim of this project is to study the quality of the discussions in groups of students during laboratory work. The project builds on a study of the role of communication in science classrooms with students aged 14-15 years. An intervention with role-playing for example reporting to another group is carried out to foster discourses that focus…

A SCIENCE UNIT ON ORGANIZATION IS PRESENTED. THE OBSERVATION AND CATEGORIZATION OF LIVING THINGS ARE EMPHASIZED. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO GATHER SPECIMENS OF PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE AND TO LOOK FOR DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES AMONG THEM. THIS COLLECTING AND GROSS SORTING OF SPECIMENS ARE ENCOURAGED THROUGH LABORATORY EXERCISES. DATA SHEETS ARE USED…

Bioluminescence transformation experiments show students the excitement and power of recombinant DNA technology. This laboratory experiment utilizes two plasmids of "Vibrio fischeri" in a transformation experiment. (LZ)

Discusses the effects of expectancy on learning in a life science instructional laboratory exercise. Contends that prior knowledge directs the act of observing. Investigates the role of prior conceptions on secondary school students' ability to observe scientific phenomena. (Contains 30 references.) (YDS)

Describes an experiment in which the incubation time to observe denitrification and other processes of the nitrogen cycle is reduced from 7-14 days to 24-48 hours. Presents calculations of processes in the nitrogen cycle in the form of a dichotomous key. (SAH)

Describes an alternative to teaching ecology by using bacteria to test competitor survival. Students observe a time-dependent selective killing of other unrelated bacteria by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (SAH)

Presents a microbiology experiment on how to make soft pretzels with different flours and analyze the results using regression models. (Contains 12 references.) (ASK)

Describes a unit of laboratory work which was unusual in that the teacher's purpose was to develop students' understanding of the way scientific facts are established with little expectation that they would understand the science content involved in the experiments. The unit was very successful from both a cognitive and affective perspective.…

Examines views, attitudes and feelings of high school pupils about their school science practicals (labs) via letter-writing and picture-drawing. Concludes that while students generally like practicals, they view them more as a means of confirming theory rather than an open investigation or true experiment. (JDH)

Describes an activity designed for secondary school students that explains the global carbon cycle and the production of CO2 through soil respiration. (YDS)

Presents a science activity on consumer chemistry in which students explore artificial flavors that are commonly used in foods, such as isoamyl acetate and methyl salicylate. Includes instructor information and a student worksheet. (YDS)

Describes an inquiry-based science activity in which students investigate the preferred food sources of sowbugs. Students design their own experiment, perform a first trial, and refine their procedure before conducting a second trial with more accurate results. (SAH)