Examines the following questions related to the effectiveness of science laboratory activities: (1) the behavior of high school chemistry teachers; (2) the behavior of high school chemistry students; and (3) the relationship, if any, between teacher behavior and student behavior as exhibited during high school chemistry laboratory sessions. (LZ)

Presents a Project WET water education activity. Students analyze public values regarding water issues to help them evaluate approaches to managing water resources. Students recognize that people have different values, evaluate strengths and weaknesses of proposed solutions, and examine the purpose of diverse advocacy groups. (LZ)

Describes a simple, safe, and inexpensive hands-on demonstration of normal and abnormal coagulation using bovine blood plasma. (JRH)

Presents a computer interfaced experiment that relates the equations of force equals mass times acceleration and force equals the derivative of the pressure divided by the derivative of the time. Provides setup, sample data, and equations. (MVL)

Describes new software called "PopGenetics" that is useful for conducting hands-on laboratory activities that illustrate population genetics. Users investigate the effects of selection and random drift on changes in allelic frequencies, the effect of mutation, and interactions among these three parameters. Designed for use on Macintosh…

Describes a successful partnership program between the Museum of Natural History and local schools that empowers young people from Glendale Intermediate School to learn science and natural history, then share what they learn with 60 children, ranging in age from 6-12 years, enrolled in Mountain View Elementary School's extended-day program. (JRH)

Describes the implementation of the Scope Sequence and Coordination (SS&C) program in Iowa. A key factor in this reform is bridging middle and high school programs through developing, testing, and improving local frameworks to serve as a basis for a science experience that is developmentally appropriate, spaced, and ever-expanding. (JRH)

Defines a portfolio as a container of documents that provide evidence. Suggests the following questions that most be considered in using portfolios in educational assessment: (1) What does the portfolio contain evidence about? (2) What will count as evidence in the portfolio? (PR)

Asserts that in the last couple of years a number of excellent sources of information directly related to using portfolios in science have emerged. Lists 11 articles that can provide knowledge about the use of portfolios in education.(PR)

Describes a set of displays on the theme of coupled mechanical oscillators. Displays encompass three common demonstrations: (1) a coupled pair of identical pendulums; (2) a multiple-pendulum resonance demonstration; and (3) a Wilberforce coupled oscillator. (MDH)

Chinese "magic" mirrors are made from bronze with the front side a mirror and the reverse side a molded image. When light is reflected from the mirror,the image on the reverse side appears. Discusses reflections of conventional mirrors, possible explanations for the magic mirror phenomenon, and applications of the phenomenon to…

Describes the benefits and techniques of having students create models of chemical compounds. This hands-on approach uses colored paper and other inexpensive materials to construct the models. A step-by-step approach provides objectives, materials, an explanation on how to calculate chemical ratios, procedures, follow-up activities, and a resource…

Presents examples of physics as applied to the sport of skiing. Examples examine the physics of sliding, unweighting, ski turning, wind resistance, the parabolic and circular motion of aerial skiers, and the aerial maneuvers of ski jumpers. (MDH)

Describes the design of the superconducting bird, a device to demonstrate the phenomenon of superconductivity. Discusses the utilization of the device as an example of a motor and compares it to the toy called the drinking bird. (MDH)