The reduction of nitroarenes to anilines is a key transformation with real-life context, central to the preparation of many important fine chemicals. The importance of this transformation has led to its inclusion in not only university organic chemistry courses but also preuniversity, especially in Europe. A variety of reagent combinations have…

This paper proposes an optional syllabus for the students in the XIIth grade. The proposed theme analyzes the concept of "variable mass" both in terms of classical mechanics and relativistic mechanics. In terms of classical mechanics we refer to the slow motion of a body, whose mass ranges in ascending way (by annealing a mass particle…

Revision can be a rather dull part of the academic year, especially if it means the wholesale revisiting of the syllabus using the same old notes. This article presents an attempt at using the "biography" of an element to give an alternative framework for recapping some of the key concepts in a typical A-level chemistry syllabus. It does…

In recent decades, the literature paid attention to students' conceptions of the nature of disciplines. This study aimed to investigate how students' cohesive and fragment conceptions of physics changed with a major change in senior high school physics syllabus. We obtained measures of conceptions of physics by utilizing a 20-item questionnaire…

Syllabi in the science subjects, biology, chemistry and physics at lower and general upper secondary school are compared in the light of their underlying philosophies, goals, objectives and recognized importance in science teaching. Even though all syllabi were prepared within the same framework, great differences among syllabi concerning…

Describes a high school physics teaching sequence including more modern topics. The first quarter covers cosmology, astronomy, optics, wave mechanics, relativity, gravity, and quantum theory. The second quarter covers classical mechanics. The third quarter covers electromagnetism and electronics. The fourth quarter consists of thermodynamics and…

Describes a course developed in the United Kingdom that uses a patterns approach to science teaching. Outlines eleven novel features of the course and describes a method of integration that offers complete instructional flexibility. (GS)

Axiology is a branch of philosophy devoted to worth." A unit of study is described utilizing group discussion in the developing of awareness in students of the value of scientific theories and their own standards of judgement as well as the standards of others. (Author/TS)

Describes a Principles of Technology course as an innovative approach to teaching physics that does away will the hype and stigma that frightens off many potential students. (PR)

Outlines a course in which toys are used to demonstrate physics concepts, stressing available or easily constructed toys. A recent lecture sequence included toys demonstrating equilibrium, force/torque, linear/angular momentum conservation, energy conservation/storage, flying, vibrations, programed music, and others. Illustrations of selected toys…

A course is described that is designed to encourage exploration, conceptual invention, and expansion of an idea. Results are given that relate to curricular experimentation with chemistry. (SA)

A university lecturer comments on the importance of adequate detail and individual interpretations of items in the core syllabus for A-level physics presented in the May 1980 issue of "Physics Education." Suggests that the syllabus fails in containing all essential elementary ideas necessary to master advanced concepts. (SK)

Describes a chemistry "pre-course" for students entering Rhode Island Junior College. The course is designed to introduce many basic scientific concepts deemed necessary before entering the first college chemistry course. (CS)

Presented are a list of topics and references for a course in which scientific theories and concepts are developed to explain the energy crisis. Using the suggested approach, students gain an understanding of scientific theories and concepts as they relate to current human problems. (DS)

Evaluates an educational program carried out at the Institute for Desert Research in Israel, to test the possibilities of the desert as an educational resource for ecosystem study. The results of teaching a field-oriented ecology course are presented. (HM)