A public demonstration of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) for fast and sensitive qualitative elemental analysis of solid everyday objects is described. This demonstration served as a showcase model for modern instrumentation (and for elemental analysis, in particular) to the public. Several steps were made to…

This paper is an examination of a teacher professional development program in northeast Louisiana, that provided 30 teachers and their students with the technology, skills, and content knowledge to collect data and explore weather trends. Data were collected from both continuous monitoring weather stations and simple school-based weather stations…

Describes a double pendulum apparatus and its mode of operation to produce a great variety of figures similar to Lissajous figures. The author suggests that several advanced physics topics can be studied with the aid of this instrument. Bibliography. (LC)

Describes a learning project in analytical chemistry in which students are required to select instruments from the manufacturers' literature that would be suitable for a given analytical problem. Several examples are given. (SA)

Describes an experimental procedure to measure the specific heat of a gas. Discusses equipment, setup, and procedures and provides sample values obtained for air, propane, helium, carbon dioxide, and argon. (JM)

Describes a simple method for determining self-inductance of non-ferromagnetic rings. Suggests fitting the ring with an auxiliary coil and using a solenoid driven with a known frequency alternating current. Amplitude change and phase shift can be measured and used to calculate inductance. Material list, calculations, and sample results are given.…

Suggestions for the design and production of power supplies and meters for use in school physics laboratories and classrooms are provided. Details of these apparatus are given including circuit diagrams. (CW)

Describes an experimental setup using a microcomputer for demonstrating the circadian movement of petioles. Discusses experiments that were performed using this apparatus and factors that relate to these plant movements. Includes graphs that have been obtained. (CW)

Discussed is the integration of microcomputers into the science laboratory curriculum. The approach provides an exposure to important aspects of computer technology while preserving concrete experiences provided by hands-on laboratories. (CW)

This 100-page manual serves as a technical reference for the "Healthy Water, Healthy People Water Quality Educators Guide" and the "Healthy Water Healthy People Testing Kits". Yielding in-depth information about ten water quality parameters, it answers questions about water quality testing using technical overviews, data interpretation guidelines,…