Describes an exercise using flames that allows students to explore the complexities of a seemingly simple phenomenon, the lighting of a candle. Contains a foldout that provides facts about natural gas flames and suggestions for classroom use. (ZWH)

Describes an activity designed to help students develop a better understanding of watersheds and deepen their respect for the entire planet. (ZWH)

Describes a study designed to identify the various reasoning procedures used by students (n=229) in comparing the average velocities of two moving bodies; compare the differences among the procedures used by students at different school levels; and analyze the relationship between automatic and human diagnoses to identify diagnostic errors of the…

Presented is an in-class earth science activity on the weathering of rocks. The materials, procedures, and results of this activity are discussed. (CW)

Children of 2 different age groups (11-12, n=246; and 13-14, n=196) were asked to draw and write about dissolving in 2 different ways. Greater percentage of children at both ages gave accurate particle interpretation that accurate view of observable process. Consistency between two ways of looking at dissolving was not found to improve with age.…

Assists science writers in presenting science news and concepts by identifying (1) three major difficulties lay readers often have in understanding science; (2) the kinds of ideas readers find counterintuitive; (3) ineffective approaches for explaining these notions; and (4) effective strategies that help people understand these difficult ideas…

Criticizes an article by Browning and Lehman (1988) for (1) using "gene" instead of allele, (2) misusing the word "misconception," and (3) the possible influences of the computer environment on the results of the study. (PR)

Authors respond to criticisms by Smith in the same issue and defend their use of the term "gene" and "misconception." Authors indicate that they did not believe that the use of computers significantly skewed their data concerning student errors. (PR)

Various critiques of the 20 most important ideas of science as presented in the book "Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy" are reported. A list of these ideas is provided. Different points of view on these ideas are discussed. (CW)

Eleven demonstrations of light polarization are presented. Each includes a brief description of the apparatus and the effect demonstrated. Illustrated are strain patterns, reflection, scattering, the Faraday Effect, interference, double refraction, the polarizing microscope, and optical activity. (CW)

Develops a conception of science as a complex series of cultural practices mediated in an through discourse. Uses a case study of the cold fusion controversy to demonstrate that internal scientific practices cannot explain adequately the eventual closure of the debate and that those explanations are found in the rhetorical practices of…

Describes a study to determine which action potential concepts are found in high school biology textbooks, find out how these concepts are presented, and identify misconceptions about the concepts. (PR)

Investigates whether students can use a series of self-generated analogies to bring about change in their understanding of a given scientific phenomenon and the nature of the change in the understanding. Eleven individuals in a teacher education program were audiotaped and videotaped as they attempted to understand a piston/cylinder device. (PR)

Describes a hands-on activity in which the student's task is to design testing procedures and use appropriate formulas to meet the objectives of a two-dimensional projectile motion lab. (ZWH)

Provides real life assignments that can be used to help students apply chemistry laboratory techniques to solve environmental hazardous waste problems. Numerous diagrams are provided to aid in describing the experiments performed. (ZWH)