Scanning probe-based microscopes (SPMs) are widely used in biology, chemistry, materials science, and physics to image and manipulate matter on the nanoscale. Unfortunately, high school and university departments lack expensive SPM tools and materials microscopy activities to educate a large number of students in this vital SPM imaging technique.…

Laboratory courses can serve as important avenues to equitably support introductory biology students to develop foundational scientific literacy skills while experiencing the authentic research process. We present a model for an equity-focused redesign of an introductory organismal biology laboratory course at a teaching institution with limited…

A single semester molecular biology laboratory has been developed in which students design and execute a project examining transcriptional regulation in "Saccharomyces cerevisiae." Three weeks of planning are allocated to developing a hypothesis through literature searches and use of bioinformatics. Common experimental plans address a…

Evaluation tools are provided that help students' peer-assessment and self-assessment in group activities for the laboratories and classroom. The self- and peer-evaluations have helped teachers provide better feedback to the students and feel more confident in assigning each individual a grade for their contribution to the group laboratory project.

Suggests a study of plant dyes as a way of stimulating student interest and enthusiasm; provides an example of a student report on this subject. (GS)

The advantages of using invertebrates in teaching physiological principles are discussed. The ability to illustrate with greater clarity physiological principles, the range and variety of physiological processes available for examination, and the unlimited possibilities for student research are topics of discussion. (KR)

Describes a set of student projects, each involving about 240 hours of laboratory time, covering the following topics: wind power monitoring, wind generator design, solar power, and the heat pump. (MLH)

Discusses experience of teaching optical experiments with emphasis upon the student's design and construction of refracting and reflecting telescopes. Concludes that the student's interest and acquired knowledge are greatly enhanced through the use of realistic experiments. (CC)

Outlines the aims of practical work by students through investigations and projects. Provides a list of sources found useful as experimental guides, ideas for projects, and background information for A level Nuffield physics. (GS)

Presents theoretical fundamentals of the experiment on the multiple reflection of helium-neon laser beams from a black-surfaced mirror. Further applications to student projects are indicated. (CC)

Discusses teaching of two project experiments to nonscience students who were asked to measure the acceleration of a system any way they could and investigate any phenomena that they thought might follow a Poisson distribution. Indicates that physics learning performed outside the physics building is the experiment highlight. (CC)

Describes a student field project involving the estimation of a maximum rate of erosion for a local area. Identifies the factors influencing erosion and outlines the method of investigation. (GS)

Describes a student investigation of a reverse flame in a atmosphere of methane that won second place in the physics division of the International Science and Engineering Fair. Includes a discussion of falling and fracturing behavior, specifically dealing with chimneys, trees, pencil point, stirring rods, and chalk. (BT)