Investigates some conceptual difficulties which college students have with regard to simple direct current circuits. The clinical interview technique was used with 57 students in a freshman level engineering course. (HM)

Discusses the increasing role of the physicist in plastics technology. Relationships of molecular structure to material behavior, design which is related to the material, and the practical problems of fabricating a material into an article are included. (HM)

The French language article analyzes the Test of Science Processes and describes other measurements of the investigative skills of secondary students. It defines problem solving, scientific method, investigation (the preferred strategy for teaching high school science curricula), and two fundamental investigative abilities: observation and…

Describes a resonance apparatus for the measurement of Cp/Cv for different gases. In the apparatus a magnetically supported piston in a vertical cylindrical glass tube containing the gas is forced into oscillation by means of a standard audio signal generator. (Author/GA)

This column for high school teachers, written by high school teachers, discusses several interesting anecdotes related to the formulation of laws and the determination of constants. Science history is presented in a manner that can enliven classroom presentations and aid in understanding the principle itself. (Authur/SA)

Compared Introductory Physical Science (IPS) and Modified approaches to teaching physics concepts. Found that students' preinstruction ideas of matter and density were organized in commonsense theories that constrained understanding of density. Both curricula promoted quantitative understanding of mass, volume, and density, but the Modified…

Provides a critical analysis of the role that atomic theory plays in the science curriculum from elementary through secondary school. Examines structural concepts from the perspective of the theory of meaningful learning, information processing theory, and the alternative conceptions movement. Contains 54 references. (DDR)

Discusses the value of keeping journals to promote science learning while simultaneously practicing communication skills. Suggests that writing also enhances science learning because it is a constructive, reflective process which helps students clarify scientific concepts and think creatively. Offers a list of potential journal topics. (AIM)

Examines science education in the United Kingdom for young children with special needs in science, and the theoretical underpinnings to children's early scientific experiences. Discusses methods of identifying young children with scientific aptitude. Examines use of children's early descriptions and explanations as emergent theorizing and use of…

Presents suggestions for a schoolwide Olympic curriculum that uses an interdisciplinary approach and takes advantage of student interest in the Olympic games. (JRH)

Maintains that children's literature and well-planned extension activities can help students understand time, one of the most important concepts in geography and history. Provides definitions of macro, meso, and micro time and discusses theme-related children's books for each concept. Includes a chart of key time activities. (MJP)

Defines an exploratory lab as consisting of a series of hands-on, qualitative activities that are safe, simple, and inexpensive, use readily available supplies, and illustrate a concept being studied concurrently in the course. Summarizes the results of four years of testing the exploratory program. (DDR)

Describes an undergraduate chemistry curriculum, designed to capitalize on the strengths of mechanistic organic chemistry, that enables students to grasp the powerful conceptual unity that allows professional chemists to understand unfamiliar results according to a few well-defined principles. Discusses the philosophy, curriculum, and the nature…

Describes a titrator system, constructed from a computer-interfaced pH-meter, that was designed to increase student involvement in the process. Combines automatic data collection with real-time graphical display and interactive controls to focus attention on the process rather than on bits of data. Improves understanding of concepts and…

A teacher of gifted minority children explains how to conduct a hands-on science experiment investigating how many drops of water can fit on a penny. Four different student activities that teach concepts such as the necessity of controlling variables in scientific experiments are described. (CR)