There is a growing consensus that traditional instruction in basic science courses, in institutions of higher learning, do not lead to the desired results. Most of the students who complete these courses do not gain deep knowledge about the basic concepts and develop a negative approach to the sciences. In order to deal with this problem, a…

This guide is based on the premise that lives (and lifestyles) revolve around the production, consumption, and conversion of energy. Yet for such an all-encompassing concept little accompanying factual knowledge exists at the grade-school level. The objectives (and the resulting activities and extensions) are focused on the needs of the upper…

This book of activities uses problem solving to help students develop the basic science process skills of observing, predicting, designing/experimenting, eliminating, and drawing conclusions. The activities are divided into two sections: Dynamo Demos and Creative Challenges. The teacher-led Dynamo Demos help students to develop science process…

This book of activities uses problem solving to help students develop the basic science process skills of observing, predicting, designing/experimenting, eliminating, and drawing conclusions. The activities are divided into two sections: Dynamo Demos and Creative Challenges. The teacher-led Dynamo Demos help students to develop science process…

This teacher's guide features step-by-step instructions for activities that use easily-obtained and inexpensive materials as well as background information, literature connections, and assessment ideas. The activities are designed for children in preschool through first grade. Lesson descriptions include suggestions for modifying the activities to…

This publication was compiled by a committee composed of science and mathematics teachers, curriculum planners, and librarians. Its purpose is to: (1) encourage students to read literature related to science and mathematics and to view such reading as a worthwhile activity; (2) help curriculum planners and teachers select books for their science…

A teacher uses reflections, analysis, and study of her own teaching and learning across a 23-year period to consider a case of science knowledge development. Because her learning about science has become increasingly influenced by analyses of her own students learning, the teacher's pedagogical autobiography is interwoven with stories of her…

This book presents the facts, history, names, and dates behind 1,250 major accomplishments in science and technology. Each topic is covered in understandable paragraphs of 150 to 600 words and is intended for students, librarians, science instructors, and the general public. Four indexes provide access to the entries by year, name of discoverer or…

The concept of diffusion may seem easy enough for many teachers to understand, but when and what do students really understand about diffusion and osmosis? In order to answer these two questions, 116 students (46.6% in the tenth grade, 30.2% in the eleventh grade, and 23.2% in the twelfth grade) enrolled in biology classes were administered tests…

This 12-chapter book discusses the scientific facts behind the ideas included in the novels of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Frederik Pohl, Arthur C. Clark and other science fiction writers. Areas explored in the first 11 chapters include: exploration of deep space; energy and exotic power sources; likelihood of extra-terrestrial life and the…

Discusses the fact that although most historians of science attribute the formulation of the law of conservation of matter in chemical reactions to Antoine Lavoisier at the end of the eighteenth century, several earlier researchers had already assumed this law in their work. These researchers include Joseph Black, Henry Cavendish, M. V. Lomonosov,…

Presents questions and possible answers on organic nitrogen content of soils, molecular mechanisms involved in the light sensitive behavior of plants, and the metabolism of carbohydrates. (GS)

Indicates that the current philosophy of laboratory experimentation and instrumentation is creating students that are not well versed in basic principles of chemistry. (GS)

The commercial simulator Aspen Chromatography was used in the computer laboratory of a dual-level course. The lab assignments used a cookbook approach to teach basic simulator operation and open-ended exploration to understand adsorption. The students learned theory better than in previous years despite having less lecture time. Students agreed…