Presents three models that have been effective for teaching chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier's principle: (1) the liquid transfer model, (2) the fish model, and (3) the teeter-totter model. Explains each model and its relation to Le Chatelier's principle. (MVL)

Describes a laboratory experiment that measures the amount of ascorbic acid destroyed by food preparation methods (boiling and steaming). Points out that aqueous extracts of cooked green pepper samples can be analyzed for ascorbic acid by a relatively simple redox titration. Lists experimental procedure for four methods of preparation. (MVL)

A fund established by the will of Clare Boothe Luce is announced. The 14 university beneficiaries are listed. Other programs which help to promote the participation of women in science and engineering are discussed. (CW)

Summarizes the efforts for developing guidelines for chemistry education, such as "Guidelines for Chemistry in the Two-Year Colleges" (1970); "Tomorrow" (1984); "Critical Issues in Two-Year College Chemistry" (1986); and "Guidelines for Chemistry and Chemical Technology Programs in Two-Year Colleges" (1988).…

Study suggests that cognitive referents are important influences in how a teacher thinks about assessment and may constrain a teacher's implementation of innovative practices. Identification of referents such as myths, their associated beliefs, and metonymic conceptual models that teachers use to make sense of their actions is an important step in…

A Monash University (Australia) program to enhance the chemistry and physics preparation of secondary school graduates entering engineering in higher education offers one-semester intensive courses. The first four years of the program have produced encouraging results. Coordination of practical work and theory is seen as crucial to learning. (MSE)

Part of a national project on college faculty peer review in 12 institutions, this study drew on faculty's self-reflective commentaries, artifacts of instruction, and observation of discipline-specific (history and chemistry) group discussions to investigate what peers value most in teaching. Results and their implications for peer reviewers,…

Examines the effect of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on students' understanding of chemical formulas and mole concept, and their attitudes toward chemistry and CAI. Reports that students who used the CAI accompanied with lectures scored significantly higher and demonstrated significant improvement in attitudes compared to the control group…

Describes a simple form of chromatography that illustrates several concepts of chemistry and physics and requires only inexpensive and readily available materials. (PR)

Investigated the relationships between (n=220) students' approaches to studying, prior knowledge, logical thinking, and gender and their performance in a nonmajors' college freshman chemistry course. Found that prior knowledge was the best predictor of achievement, followed by formal reasoning ability. (22 references) (Author/MKR)

Describes two activities to analyze unit-cell structures from a geometric viewpoint and invite students to apply their mathematical understanding to scientific phenomena. Students form models of the simple cube, a building block of crystalline structures, and a methane molecule. (MDH)

Determines what attributes high school teachers and college professors of chemistry believe to be most important for incoming college students. Teachers and professors ranked examples of traditional chemistry knowledge and personal traits in order of importance. Chemistry professors ranked student personal attributes as most important, whereas…

Describes a simple emulsification test and germination test used to determine the cleaning power and toxicity of three different household cleaning agents. (MKR)

The problem-solving difficulties of Nigerian preservice chemistry teachers (n=300) were investigated. The results from written tests and an interview show students were capable of constructing mental representations but not solution plans; had inappropriate approaches and strategies; exhibited structural errors relating to a disregard of given…

An intervention study with 12- to 13-year-old students which attempts to move students' thinking about matter and the dissolving process toward the school science view by use of activities and group discussion tasks which directly address some of the thinking underlying students' prior ideas is described. Students responses to the strategies…