Reviews interesting and useful electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of the organic solid state. Offers speculation as to areas of fruitful research. Discusses organic superconductors, conducting organic polymers, organic metals, and traces recent history of creation of organic metals. (JM)

Describes a program of demonstration experiments used to stimulate interest in chemistry, specifically aimed at increasing university chemistry enrollments. Discusses program goals, experiments, design criteria, and several caveats related to the development of such a program. (JM)

Describes typical instructional applications of computers. Areas considered include: (1) instructional simulations and animations; (2) data analysis; (3) drill and practice; (4) student evaluation; (5) development of computer models and simulations; (6) biometrics or biostatistics; and (7) direct data acquisition and analysis. (JN)

Outlines the learning environments, interdisciplinary curriculum, and campus/schedules for the environmental education program at the New Jersey School of Conservation at Montclair State College. Major areas of study include environmental communication, advocacy, technology, and instruction, and participants range from third graders to university…

New government ventures in engineering research will build on previous successes and failures with industry/university programs, including Cooperative Research Centers established in 1972. Past projects, new Engineering Research Centers with cross-disciplinary efforts, and industry participation are discussed. Indicates that industrial financial…

Analyzes data from an American Physiological Society survey on 88 physiology programs not associated with medical schools. Included are enrollment data and data on faculty characteristics, areas of specialization, and doctorates awarded. Indicates that the majority of physiology PhD programs are located within departments of biological sciences.…

Advocates daily use of short statements, dilemmas, or questions which raise open-ended societal/ethical issues for students. Includes rationale for this strategy together with 12 examples for use by teachers in developing materials for their courses. Topics selected are appropriate for biology, chemistry, physics, and the social sciences. (DH)

Computer-assisted-instruction software was developed to supplement the conventional lecture-laboratory mode of instruction with another instructional aid for learning science in an individualized, nonthreatening environment. This development project was designed to teach physical concepts, mathematical techniques, and problem solving strategies.…

Discusses: (1) Brewster's angle in the elementary laboratory; (2) color mixing by computer; (3) computer iteration at A-level; (4) a simple probe for pressure measurement; (5) the measurement of distance using a laser; and (6) an activity on Archimede's principle. (JN)

Describes student involvement in conducting literature searches using the online literature retrieval methods of the Lockheed DIALOG system as a part of a junior-level Introduction to Independent Study Course. Outlines the teaching methods, presenting a set of practice questions with answers and discussing the progressive building of good study…

Discusses the application of cognitive processes of physics teaching including idea first and name afterward; translating symbols into words; describing phenomena in words; reversing a line of thought; making decisions; inapplicability of formulas; recognizing the importance of non-examples; comparison and serial ordering; and estimating and…

Compares the educational system of the United States/Japan, looking at total time spent in mathematics and science preparation (as well as other subject areas) and out-of-school activities. Examines the structure of higher education in Japan and the origin of the Japanese university, as well as engineering education in the two countries. (JM)

Examines thought processes closely linked with intellectual development and transcending boundaries of many disciplines. Among the topics discussed are: nonuniform change without calculus; discrimination between observation and inference; asking one's own questions; hypothetico-deductive reasoning; and types of knowledge. (JM)

Discusses such international trends as: designing courses and curricula for general education; increasing interdisciplinary content; lowering costs of laboratory and field work; effectively utilizing microelectronics; developing more versatile examination and evaluation systems; improving teacher education/status; promoting research and advanced…

Past, present, and future trends in chemical education are discussed. Among the areas considered are the earliest traditions in chemistry, lessons learned from past experiences, research in chemical education, fostering excellence in precollege science education, and instructional innovation in chemistry. (JN)