This essay examines the respective roles of books, teachers, and committees as sources and authorities of scientific information in school science education. Analyzes and compares recent curriculum development trends in the United States, England, and Australia, pointing out differences in perspective regarding authorities about scientific…

Suggested are three main ways children are brought into contact with environmental matters in school. The environment's use as a mode of learning is suggested. (Author/DS)

Described is the use of cartoons in the science classroom to: (1) introduce new topics of study; (2) present students with problems to solve, activities to perform, or situations to analyze; (3) simulate discussion about values, science, and society and (4) convey messages about the nature of science. (Author/DS)

Describes the status of fluid mechanics courses in bioengineering curricula. A survey of institutions offering bioengineering degrees indicates that over half do not require fluid mechanics courses. Suggests increasing number of mechanics courses to increase the quality of bioengineering students and to prepare students for graduate work and more…

Presented is an activity in which students use a microscope to do a forensic hair comparative study and a medullary classification. Mounting methods, medulla types, hair photographs, and activities are described. (DS)

Exploring a technique for acquiring qualitative data from standardized instruments and using them in formative evaluation of new cirricula, this article discusses assets and limitations of the qualitative analysis technique as applied to a grade 10 science course. (JC)

The results of this study indicate that, for the astronomical concepts used, no significant difference in the cognitive domain will occur between the achievement of students who experience a participatory planetarium program and students who experience a traditional lecture-demonstration program. (Author/MK)

Guidelines are presented to help the classroom science teacher effectively deal with handicapped students. (SA)

Describes experiments intended to produce a better understanding of the holographic method of producing images and optical imaging by other optical systems. Application of holography to teaching physics courses is considered. (Author/SA)

Examines the state of school science in the elementary grades and offers suggestions for those principals who have determined that their schools are weak in science instruction. (IRT)

Describes the decline of public esteem for the scientist and interest in physics. Author discusses the difficulties in recruiting physics students and obtaining federal money. (MA)

In a replication of a Mount Sinai School of Medicine study, the authors at Texas Tech University School of Medicine found that gross anatomy should be considered a very relevant subject in a medical student's education and that other disciplines of anatomy should be reevaluated to increase their relevancy. Earlier findings did not find the…

Describes an exercise ideal for use in an introductory biology or microbiology course. Requires no special equipment, little expertise in microbiology, and provides a colorful demonstration of microbial interaction. (DDR)

Explains the use of a card lab to demonstrate how a population bottleneck impacts genetic diversity and the survival of a population. Uses a standard deck of playing cards to show how age structure can magnify bottleneck effects. (DDR)

Recommends a number of techniques and transitional activities to bridge the gap between traditional cookbook activities and the type of inquiry envisioned by the National Science Education Standards. Includes discussion on techniques related to safety and the habits of good scientists. (DDR)