Presents an activity involving the observation of moon phases that can provide a one-on-one learning experience and stimulate interaction between a child and an adult family member. This activity can also be initiated by teachers and outcomes can be integrated into the classroom science curriculum. (JRH)

Provides teachers with some ideas about the development of physical knowledge to make them more receptive to the differences between their own and their students' thinking. Illustrates an adapted version of Piaget's model of the growth of physical knowledge using the development of classical mechanics. Contains 12 references. (Author/JRH)

Presents an activity designed to make the study of DNA and the process of protein synthesis "user-friendly" in a student-centered and integrated manner for all introductory biology classes. Allows students to experience molecular processes through concrete kinesthetic activities. (JRH)

Presents ideas for spring flower displays. Has students constructing their own interactive flower displays as extra-credit assignments to reinforce vocabulary and scientific concepts, and modeling flowers with household items. (JRH)

Examines 9th grade students' explanations of chemical reactions using two forms of open-ended essay questions, those providing students with key terms to be used as "anchors" on which to base their essay, and those that do not provide terms. Results indicate that more misunderstandings were elicited by the use of key terms as compared to…

Analyzes the answers provided by (n=98) 12-year-old students to questions on an end-of-the-year science examination. Points out that although students are able to explain day and night, they have difficulties explaining why the moon always presents the same face to Earth. Addresses implications for teaching and learning. (Contains 17 references.)…

Fire-fighting considerations teachers may want to raise with students in physics classes are discussed. Concepts involved in extinguishing fires and the operation of fire equipment are detailed. (CW)

Generated are over 70 chemical reactions which constitutes a minicourse in descriptive chemistry and is designed to help foster "chemical literacy". Both aqueous and nonaqueous chemical reactions are discussed. (KR)

Devised is a test involving chemical examples to establish to what extent college chemistry students recognized and assessed the explanatory content of statements presented in the form of justifications. Several results are discussed. Several test items are included. (Author/YP)

Investigated was the nature of teachers' ideas about force and gravity, changes in materials, and energy. Information was obtained by using interview-about-events and interview-about-instances techniques. Examples of teachers' conceptions and ways of thinking are included. (YP)

Establishes a theoretical basis for both understanding and testing the molecular level assumptions in mixtures. Considers activity coefficient models and equation of state mixing rules. (YP)

Describes some experiments showing both qualitatively and quantitatively that aerodynamic lift is a reaction force. Demonstrates reaction forces caused by the acceleration of an airstream and the deflection of an airstream. Provides pictures of demonstration apparatus and mathematical expressions. (YP)

Explains the lifting force based on Bernoulli's law and as a reaction force. Discusses the interrelation of both explanations. Considers accelerations in line with stream lines and perpendicular to stream lines. (YP)

Identified are errors in diagrams from the textbook "Physics" (Little, Brown, and Co., Boston, 1987). Presents and discusses the errors in eight textbook diagrams. The errors include mechanics, optics, and electricity. (YP)

Provides the apparatus setup, experimental method, necessary formulas, and references for three measurement experiments: (1) "Determine the Magnetic Induction of a Coil with a Hall Element"; (2) "Measuring Magnetic Force and Magnetic Field of Small Permanent Magnets"; and (3) "Measurements of Sound Velocity by Means of PZT" (piezoelectric…