Discusses the results of measuring the in-class effectiveness of a computer-controlled instructor workstation (IWS) that was developed at the Air Force Academy. Treatments for the experimental and control groups in an introductory physics course are described, and effects on student performance, student attitudes, and instructor attitudes are…

Discusses the global change of climate. Presents the trend of climate change with graphs. Describes mathematical climate models including expressions for the interacting components of the ocean-atmosphere system and equations representing the basic physical laws governing their behavior. Provides three possible responses on the change. (YP)

Uses simple pulse NMR experiments to discuss Fourier transforms. Studies the generation of spin echoes used in the imaging procedure. Shows that pulse NMR experiments give signals that are additions of sinusoids of differing amplitudes, frequencies, and phases. (MVL)

Discusses the history and development of Plasma Desorption Mass Spectrometry to determine molecular weights and structures of proteins and polymers. Outlines theory, instrumentation, and sample preparation commonly used. Gives several examples of resulting spectra. (ML)

Describes a technique for separating samples that range over 15 orders of magnitude in molecular weight. Discusses theory, apparatus, and sample preparation techniques. Lists several types of field-flow fractionation (FFF) and their uses: sedimentation FFF, thermal FFF, flow FFF, electrical FFF, and steric FFF. (ML)

Identifies a common laboratory problem that causes instrumentation malfunction. Provides numerous experiences of researchers whose results have been affected by humidity fluctuations, magnetic field fluctuations, trucks driving by, and other factors. (ML)

Examines between-school variation in gender and ethnic inequality in course-taking of physics and biology. A multilevel analysis of 19,743 Israeli twelfth graders reveals the sciences are taken less often by underprivileged Jewish ethnic group students, physics is taken more often by males and biology by females, and gender typing is particularly…

Presents a lesson plan detailing an interdisciplinary mathematics/science activity in which students find the balance and center of gravity of a map of the United States. Contains reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

This case study describes 1 teacher's implementation of a modified version of Glynn's Teaching-with-Analogies model with a grade-10 optics class on refraction of light. (PR)

A physics/chemistry teacher examined how brain-based learning environments could produce better learning conditions for students. He used thematic teaching, enriched language, naturally complex, long-term design and construction projects, and multifaceted assessment tools. The one-year curriculum indicated that teachers need not sacrifice content…

Outlines 39 physics demonstrations that utilize simple objects such as coffee and soda cans to illustrate scientific concepts. (12 references) (MDH)

Presents the origin and mathematics of Hubble's Law of the expanding universe. Discusses limitations to this law and the related concepts of standard candles, elliptical galaxies, and streaming motions, which are conspicuous deviations from the law. The third of three models proposed as explanations for streaming motions is designated: The Great…

Presents a simple mathematical model in which resultant speed is the sum or difference between wind speed and runner speed and a more complex model that assumes that only a proportion of the wind's speed affects one's running speed to describe the time difference between running with and without wind. (MDH)

Proposes the V-Scope as a teaching aid to measure, analyze, and display three-dimensional multibody motion. Describes experiment setup considerations, how measurements are calculated, graphic representation capabilities, and modes of operation of this microcomputer-based system. (MDH)

A study at Tel Aviv University (Israel) demonstrated the utility of a faculty evaluation form on which the global "overall teaching performance" score can almost perfectly predict the mean of all teacher-attribute items for physics and chemistry faculty. However, for teaching assistants, a linear transformation is needed. (Author/MSE)