Several chemical concepts to the extraction of a water pollutant OPC (octylphenoxyacetic acid) is presented. As an introduction to the laboratory experiment, a discussion on endocrine disrupters is conducted to familiarize the student with the background of the experiment and to explain the need for the extraction and quantitation of the OPC which…

The journal "The Physics Teacher," which is dedicated to introductory physics education at the high school and university levels is presented. The topics like deconstructing black boxes aspects of a computerized physics lab, the frozen lake, and teaching E=mc(super 2) are discussed.

A laboratory project permits for the discussion of the reaction mechanism of the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. The practical part of the project makes the students familiar with working under inert atmosphere but if the appropriate equipment for working under inert atmosphere is not available in a laboratory, novel catalysts that do not…

This study investigates how high school students respond to an environment of authentic science inquiry while participating in an intensive summer institute, the Waksman Student Scholars Programme at Rutgers University. We examined how students apprenticed with expert scientists in a study of contemporary questions in molecular genetics. Students…

Most universities have invested in extensive infrastructure in the form of computer laboratories and computer kiosks. However, is this investment justified when it is suggested that students work predominantly from home using their own computers? This paper provides an empirical study investigating how students at a regional multi-campus…

In a study spanning several years and including more than 1600 students, lab attendance was strongly correlated with lab grades (r = 0.64), lecture attendance (r = 0.49), and course grades (r = 0.60) in an introductory biology course. Regardless of the semester, lab attendance was lowest during the first week of the semester, and students who…

Science educators agree that an undergraduate research experience is critical for students who are considering graduate school or research careers. The process of researching a topic in the primary literature, designing experiments, implementing those experiments, and analyzing the results is essential in developing the analytical skills necessary…

In the modern working environment it is essential for a structural engineer to have an understanding of abstract concepts in structural behaviour and an ability to use them qualitatively. This paper presents the findings of a study on how effectively students acquire such conceptual understanding within a new project/design focused degree course.…

Physics as a subsidiary subject has to match very different objectives and to cope with a variety of students' learning conditions. Targeted labwork means that a careful choice among these objectives is made according to research outcomes. For medical students, a targeted labwork course in physics was developed. Essentially, the development was…

We describe a service-learning course in which college students developed hands-on chemistry laboratory activities for elementary school children. These activities were then conducted with children both in area classrooms and in our own laboratories. This course allowed our students to apply their knowledge of chemical principles while introducing…

Laboratory and demonstration have long been used to supplement lecture in chemistry education. Current research indicates that students are better served by laboratories which exercise the higher-order cognitive skills, such as inquiry-based laboratories. However, the time and the resources available to perform these recommended types of…

The author presents a content integration that focuses on social studies and science knowledge and skills. The idea of using folk crafts to help elementary students learn social studies extends from John Dewey's laboratory school to the twenty-first century. Meaningful content is applied to skills, such as blacksmithing, found in the community,…

Reform initiatives such as "Science for All Americans" (AAA, 1989) and "National Science Education Standards" (NRC, 1996) argue for making science accessible to all children regardless of age, sex, cultural and/or ethic background, and disabilities. One of the most popular and prevailing phrases highlighting science education reform in the last…

Second language study in the Soviet Union's General Education School (compulsory public education) is described in detail with briefer explanations of teacher training institutes and inservice teacher education. Both positive and negative aspects of Russia's language programs are presented, with primacy given to teaching methods, objectives,…

Guidelines for evaluating, establishing, and administrating classroom and laboratory language programs are offered in this report. Attention is focused on the language laboratory, with sections on its use, scheduling, materials and texts, preparation of audio materials, preparation of tests, supervision, discipline, and maintenance. Briefer…