A college level psychology course is described in which students were trained by both traditional and experimental methods to administer individual intelligence tests. Comparative analysis of performance by each group indicates that student motivation and performance is not greatly influenced by teaching method and that videotape demonstrations…

Described is an in-class demonstration of mass reaction time which measures the speed of nerve impulses and the duration of various cognitive processes. A simpler version of the experiment for at-home use is described. (Author/DB)

The ventral eye of "Limulus" (horseshoe crab) contains only one type of photoreceptor. Behaviors mediated by the ventral eye provide an unambiguous representation of the function of that single-receptor type. Compares such behaviors with results of acute, single-cell investigations to assay for the contributions of candidate neural codes in the…

Research suggests that we process information by way of two distinct and functionally separate coding systems. Their location, somewhat dependent on cerebral laterality, varies in right- and left-handed persons. Tests this dual coding model. (Editor/RK)

Two experiments compared three alternative hypotheses concerning differences in attraction to a person across interaction settings: a "compartmentalization" hypothesis, an "intimacy dominance" hypothesis, and an "intimacy threshold" hypothesis were evaluated. (Editor/RK)

Describes an advanced inorganic chemistry experiment in which students prepare two coordination compounds and study their stereochemistry using infrared spectroscopy. (MLH)

Describes an experiment in which nitric acid is synthesized from ammonia on a small scale to illustrate a major industrial process. (MLH)

Assesses the influence of model consequences on perceived model affect and, conversely, assesses the influence of model affect on perceived model consequences. Also appraises the influence of model consequences and model affect on perceived model attractiveness, perceived model competence, and perceived task attractiveness. (Author/RK)

Describes a method for experimenting with both whitening and deacidifying old newspaper clippings using sodium borohydride bleaching. Clippings are soaked in distilled water then immersed in sodium borohydride for 15-20 minutes. After rinsing with distilled water, the paper is washed with saturated Ca(OH)2 solution. Readers should not begin…

Describes a project designed to introduce infrared spectroscopy as a structure-determination technique. Students are introduced to infrared spectroscopy fundamentals then try to determine the identity of an unknown liquid from its infrared spectrum and molecular weight. The project demonstrates that only rarely can the identity of even simple…

Describes chemistry laboratory experiments that can be done with student-designed investigations. Suggests approaches for restructuring traditional chemistry laboratories. (DKM)

Compares results of two projects in which high school students manipulated computer models of physical systems derived from current science research. Topics include modeling in science research and modeling in student research, computer modeling and observation/experiment, internal structure of the model and predictions of the model, student…

Provides ideas and outcomes for nine computer laboratory experiments using a commercial eight-bit analog to digital (ADC) interface. Experiments cover statistics; rotation; harmonic motion; voltage, current, and resistance; ADC conversions; temperature measurement; single slit diffraction; and radioactive decay. Includes necessary schematics. (MVL)

Describes student-designed laboratories that promote higher-level thinking skills through scientific reasoning, analysis, and evaluation. Discusses development of course objectives, course format and pedagogical assessment, examples of laboratories designed by students, and student response to the laboratory. Contains 13 references. (JRH)