Reviews a monograph which addresses children's higher-order thinking skills. Suggests the following for teaching problem solving: identify and develop content-independent and content-dependent problem-solving skills, connect developed skills through workshop-style activities to subject discipline, and help students identify and reconstruct their…

Announces the development of a videodisc module which provides access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture information network. Relates sources of information, module description, recommendations for use, and software specifications. Describes the equipment needed. (RT)

Describes a course which has been designed to develop oral and written communication skills appropriate for engineering graduate students and for the demands of their post-graduate careers. Provides course strategy and content. (MVL)

Discusses two weather computer programs that allow users to see current weather maps and readings across the United States by modem hookup. Describes the features of "Weather Brief" and "Accu-Weather Forecaster" and includes the approximate daily phone cost of each. (MVL)

Describes the use of computer spreadsheet programs in physical chemistry classrooms. Stresses the application of bar graphs to fundamental quantum and statistical mechanics. Lists the advantages of the use of spreadsheets and gives examples of possible uses. (ML)

Describes a demonstration showing the chemical reversibility between the chromate and dichromate ions. Includes reaction equations and listing of equipment needed. Recommends a demonstration for illustrating Le Chatelier's principle and stoichiometric relationships. (ML)

Examines a solubility laboratory experiment using silver acetate and spectrophotometers for an Advanced Placement chemistry course. Covers experimental procedure, analysis of saturated solutions, and a discussion of chemistry involved. Includes an absorbance curve for silver ions and solution preparation suggestions. (ML)

Discusses how, in two three-week sessions, the Terre Haute (Indiana) college offers selected students a hands-on approach to all aspects of engineering from design and lab work to technical writing. Describes a group project requiring students to study and experiment with simple research problems. Lists 20 project ideas. (MVL)

A national survey of 123 heads/coordinators of first-year chemistry in state colleges and universities reveals that what high school chemistry teachers think the college professor looks for in a first-year chemistry student may be inconsistent with professor's true expectations. The results are used to suggest that chemistry teachers and college…

Reviews factors contributing to the low participation and negative attitudes of girls toward science and contends that science and math teachers play a major role. The author provides a sexism quiz and discussion that enables teachers to assess their classroom behaviors and attitudes toward girls. An extensive bibliography follows the article.…

Examines perceptions of eighth graders in a science teaching environment in which they guide their own learning, frame problems for inquiry, design data collection procedures, and interpret and present data in a convincing fashion. Asserts that, in constructing their inquiries, students successfully negotiated courses of action and established…

Describes the development and implementation of a successful K-8 science program in Chelsea (Massachusetts) public elementary and junior high schools with help from Boston University (Massachusetts). Research-based principles guiding the curriculum development and teacher training are highlighted. (GR)

The efforts of the biology department at William Paterson College, a state college in New Jersey, to use strategic planning at the department level are chronicled. Planning focused on establishing a direction for hiring faculty, developing curriculum, purchasing equipment, and training students. Results, unanticipated outcomes, and lessons learned…

A study in which nonscience professors and graduate students took introductory physics and chemistry courses and found that what makes science unappealing or difficult for some is not subject matter or lack of student preparedness but the way science is packaged. Problems with curriculum design, testing, grading, classroom climate, presentation,…

Provides fully developed library media activities for elementary and middle school students, most of which are designed to be used in connection with specific curriculum units. Topics covered include art; reading/language arts, including fiction, point of view, storytelling, and dictionary skills; science; and social studies. (LRW)