Analyzes how textbooks define and describe an earthquake focus or hypocenter. Provides examples from textbooks that reflect an absence of precision in words and diagrams that can foster misconceptions. Discusses the origin of the problems. (DDR)

The views of 40 primary students on ozone and its depletion were recorded through individual, semi-structured interviews. The data analysis resulted in the formation of a limited number of models concerning the distribution and role of ozone in the atmosphere, the depletion process, and the consequences of ozone depletion. Identifies five target…

Describes an activity that engages students in the outdoors and provides them with the opportunity to stop and observe the world unedited for a few minutes. Involves students narrowing and then broadening the focus of their senses. (JRH)

Discusses the use of trade books in introducing students to science concepts, reinforcing lessons, and enhancing their reading skills. Highlights the "Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children" list that is a popular service for teachers and media specialists in schools and districts across the country. (JRH)

Presents an annotated list of recently published science trade books in Spanish that can engage students in a variety of science concepts. Books are listed in the categories of biology, ecology, general science, and technology. (JRH)

Presents two activities, the "Super Bubble" that challenges students and parents to blow the biggest bubbles and "For Fingers Only" that asks them to duplicate a pattern of blocks using only the sense of touch. (JRH)

Discusses the use of toys in teaching science. Describes toys that model concepts including Playful Penguins and Blaster Balls; toys in demonstrations such as the Heat Solution, Rainbow Glasses, and Energy Ball; toys as mnemonic devices including Stackable Rings and Color Racers; and toys illustrating science and technology integration such as…

Describes an approach that challenges students to construct illustrations of chemical reactions by using colorful Bingo card paint markers. Enables them to visually demonstrate their understanding of chemical notations and the law of conservation of mass. Also discusses teaching chemical formulas, a modeling lab, illustrating chemical reactions,…

Discusses modifications to general education or introductory chemistry courses that allow visually impaired students to participate productively. Describes a strategy for teaching about elements and density, and the construction of a conductivity tester for visually impaired students. (JRH)

Presents a model to explain the behavior of oscillatory phenomena found in the soda bottle oscillator. Describes recording the oscillations, and the design of the model based on the qualitative explanation of the oscillations. Illustrates a variety of physiochemical concepts including far-from-equilibrium oscillations, feedback, solubility and…

Presents a list of resources on inorganic chemistry that includes general surveys, nomenclature, dictionaries, handbooks, compilations, and treatises. Selected for use by academic and student chemists. (DDR)

Reports on the Victorian Science in Schools Research Project (VSSRP) which was developed to help teachers support student learning of science content. Reviews research on student learning of science concepts and traces changes over the last two decades. (Contains 46 references.) (Author/YDS)

Investigates whether preschool children aged 4.5-6 can construct the concept of mechanical stability through structured hands-on activities that involve the building of a tower on an inclined plane and the use of cans of various sizes and weights. Presents a theoretical framework for teaching and learning physics in the early years. (Contains 47…

Listed are errors students make by accepting misconceptions about pressure and precautions teachers might take to avoid fostering those misconceptions. Misconceptions discussed include pressure as a measure of energy per unit volume, fluid flow only from high to low pressure, and the lack of pressures lower than a vacuum. (CW)

Word associations were used to map high school students' concepts of "chemical equilibrium" and "equilibrium." It was found that the preconception of the two concepts was differentiated on noncritical dimensions. (Author/CW)