It is only during the later years of high school study that aspects of science describing materials behavior become relevant to later studies in engineering. A new system of teaching and learning science, with examples drawn from basic principles of materials behavior, is shown to be commensurate with these requirements. (LZ)

This editorial provides an informal review of "The Bell Curve" (Herrnstein and Murray, 1994). The book, packaged as scientific writing, is an attack on affirmative action and on government attempts to foster egalitarianism. It is a political treatise that assumes that racial differences in intelligence are valid and genetic. (SLD)

Survey results reveal trainee primary teachers are well informed about the nature and location of the ozone layer and appreciated that it screens the earth from ultraviolet (UV) rays, although some thought that it protects the earth from acid rain. Identifies themes in students' thinking and groups of students with different concepts. (LZ)

Presents ExploraVision as an opportunity for elementary teachers to work with their students while they are still quizzical and curious. Participating student teams choose an existing technology and envision how it might be used in 20 years, presenting their idea in a 10-frame story. Describes preparation of a student team to enter the contest.…

Presents assignments as an important mechanism for developing writing skills and for learning about science. Describes a teaching strategy that allows a student's writing skills to develop while researching a particular science topic. Discusses topic selection, collection of information, drafting, and editing. (18 references) (JRH)

Reports a study of 10 preservice biology teachers' subject matter structure (SMS). Using qualitative methods, the researchers sought to discover the nature and source of the SMS, the stability, and the relationship to the act of teaching. Among the conclusions are that these preservice teachers do not appear cognizant of their SMSs and that the…

This article reports on a study that investigated novice students' rules for determining which of two objects exerted the greater force on the other. (PR)

Discusses three topics related to physics: (1) the center of mass of a long stick thrown horizontally; (2) how electric current flows in metals; and (3) the theory of relativity in relationship with fictionalized time machines. (MDH)

Reports descriptive study concerning student understanding of isomers. Sample of 7,441 senior high school students completed tests which contained 12 questions on isomerism. Results indicate students are inclined to restrict their concept of isomerism to compounds belonging to the same class. There was no evidence students expected molecular…

Discusses biological bafflers that can be used with any curriculum to motivate and instill a sense of wonder about the world. The following are some bafflers discussed: animal lovemaking--risky business; animal-size appetites; digging for gold; drinking, the unquenchable thirst; eating; hearing is believing; jumping and lifting contenders;…

Examined is the science of catastrophism and its role in planetary and earth science. The effects of impacts on earth with extraterrestrial origins are discussed. Perspectives on the age and dynamics of the earth's crust are presented. (CW)

Describes two simple sets of demonstrations regarding Arrhenius Theory of acids and bases to help students to understand the nature of theories and why they often must be changed. (ZWH)

Reports on the findings of a questionnaire developed to determine the extent to which General Certificate of Secondary Education syllabuses affect science curriculum and pedagogic practice in schools in England and Wales. (ZWH)

Explores the assumptions about science and technology held by the engineers who attempted to delay the launch of the Challenger Space Shuttle. Reveals three dominant conceptions of science and technology which guided the engineers' persuasive efforts and which appeared to account for why the engineers did not succeed in their attempt to influence…