Discusses some of the recent developments in providing continuing engineering education programs. Lists 10 potential problems encountered by universities in attempting to provide a strong continuing engineering education program. Includes concerns about industry cooperation, objectives, needs assessments, finances, program quality, the role of…

Reports on a study which examined the relationship between spatial ability and performance in organic chemistry. Results indicated that students with high spatial scores did significantly better on questions requiring problem solving skills, as well as on those requiring the mental manipulation of two-dimensional representations of a molecule. (TW)

Discusses the gender differences revealed on the science content items of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Science Assessment. Examines explanations for the differences, including differential prior instruction, differential response to uncertainty, differential response to figurally presented items, and different attitudes toward…

Describes an inservice training program for elementary and junior high school teachers that sought to enhance teachers' knowledge of physical science and skills of science instruction. Presents test data on participants' knowledge of science content, attitudes toward science, and beliefs about science teaching. (ML)

Reports the results of an in-depth examination of middle school children's graphing skills and misconceptions. Also discusses a study in which students learned graphing skills through microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL). (ML)

Explains practices and activities related to measurement, observation, and problem solving/practical investigating in British science classes. Provides three physics investigations and assesses their instructional potential and effectiveness with students. (ML)

Discusses the commonly held misconceptions on heat and examines potential contributing factors. Defines and provides examples of internal energy and heat. Suggests approaches to the teaching of heat for secondary level students. (ML)

Contains 31 activities and experiments from the biological and physical sciences. Addresses such areas as reproduction, biotechnology, ecology, proteins, nitrates, aerosols, metal crystallinity, circuit boards, and photoswitching. (ML)

Describes a study that examined the potential of a short inservice course (one week) with the teaching of experimental science in the primary school. Results indicated that participation in the course resulted in an increase in the amount of classroom time devoted to experimental science by the teachers involved (N=31). (ML)

Reports on the results of a study of the effects of a popular children's nature magazine, "Ranger Rick," on increasing children's knowledge of animals and the natural world. Results indicate that the children who read the magazine increased their knowledge about animals, plants, and ecological principles. (Author/TW)

Offers a model for a performance-based training system based on job task analysis methodology that has been successfully implemented at a nuclear utility. Presents a flow chart of the training needs system and explains the steps involved in the process. (ML)

Reports on an analysis of student evaluations of an introductory college-level physical geology course over a five year period. Indicates that instructional and pedagogical traits were assessed as being of importance in contributing to the satisfaction of the students with the course. (TW)

Tree-ring analysis in geomorphology can be incorporated into a number of undergraduate methods in order to reconstruct the history of a variety of geomorphic processes. Discusses dendrochronology, general principles of dendrogeomorphology, field sampling methods, laboratory techniques, and examples of applications. (TW)

Describes a six-week, six-credit, field-based physical and historical geology course offered by Lehigh University (Pennsylvania) in conjunction with its standard summer field studies program. Stresses the advantages of integrating physical and historical geology concepts in a field setting. (TW)

Provides suggestions for two exercises designed to assist and involve students in understanding chemical concepts. Includes a laboratory experiment for determining the Ksp of a saturated solution of calcium sulfate and a scheme for naming oxyacids and their salts. (ML)