Describes a method to teach acoustics to students with minimal mathematical backgrounds. Discusses the uses of charts in teaching topics of sound intensity level and the decibel scale. Avoids the difficulties of working with logarithm functions. (JRH)

Presents the theory behind a two-dimensional curved path along which the magnitude of the acceleration vector remains constant for an object moving frictionlessly under the influence of gravity. (JRH)

Describes a method to trace the reflection of a light ray incident on a pair of mirrors hinged together along one edge. Can be extended to ray tracing through tubes, cones, and prisms. (JRH)

Explores relationships among school students' (n=189) meaningful learning orientation, reasoning ability and acquisition of meaningful understandings of genetics topics, and ability to solve genetics problems. Results indicate that meaningful learning orientation best predicted students' understanding of genetics interrelationships while reasoning…

Discusses the occurrence of eclipses and eclipse observation. (JRH)

Discusses the structure and polarity of the water molecule. Presents activities and demonstrations to illustrate these concepts. (Author/JRH)

Presents a simple experiment involving the sense of smell that students can accomplish during a lecture. Illustrates the important concepts of equilibrium along with the acid/base properties of various ions. (JRH)

Describes a particularly useful theme that reveals the structure of certain scientific explanations relevant to the study of chemistry and provides an example of a theme for an introduction to chemistry. (Author/YDS)

Identifies the misunderstandings and problem-solving strategies of secondary students when solving stoichiometry problems. (Author/CCM)

Explains the origin of supernumerary rainbows--the appearance of three or more rainbows in the sky at a time. (WRM)

Discusses ways of advancing understanding of evolutionary biology which seeks to explain all the characteristics of organisms. Describes the goals of evolutionary biology, why it is important, and how it contributes to society and basic science. (ASK)

Explores the development over time of students' understandings of the concept of chemical reaction in the context of two familiar reactions in solution. Based on interviews (n=48), results show that students made some progress in their understanding of the concept of chemical reaction but some fundamental misconceptions remained. (Author/MM)

Discusses the role of physical enactment in developing an understanding of distance, time, and speed. Provides several examples from classroom experience. (MM)

Three experiments examined 3- to 11-year-olds' understanding of entropy, asking whether undifferentiated forces, such as the wind or objects being thrown into the air, could create order or disorder in a set of objects. Found that even 4-year-olds were sensitive to asymmetrical effects of such events. Older children applied this principle more…

An important challenge faced by many teachers as they involve students in science investigations is measuring (assessing) students' progress. Our detailed requirements analysis in a particular school district led to the idea that what teachers need most are ways to increase the quality of the information they have about what students know and can…