This is the fourth paper in our Light-Emitting Diodes series. The series aims to create a systematic library of LED-based materials and to provide readers with the description of experiments and the pedagogical treatment that would help their students construct, test, and apply physics concepts and mathematical relations. The first paper provided…

SCIENCE CONCEPTS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS SHOULD BE BUILT FROM STUDENT EXPERIENCES, NOT MEMORIZED FROM PRINTED MATERIALS. TEACHERS SHOULD BE ALERT AT ALL TIMES AND CONSCIOUSLY ATTEMPT TO SET UP OR CALL ATTENTION TO SITUATIONS PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE USE OF PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES. THE FOLLOWING GENERAL AREAS ARE SUGGESTED AS…

Discussed is the tendency in science to challenge obvious explanation for observed phenomenon. Ten examples are given where the initial obvious explanation was subsequently shown to be totally incorrect. Four examples that relate to biomedicine are presented in detail. (SL)

We have designed model-development sequences using a common context to provide authentic problem-solving experiences for first-year students. The model-development sequence takes a model-eliciting activity a step further by engaging students in the exploration and adaptation of a mathematical model (e.g., procedure, algorithm, method) for solving…