Discusses how holography can be used as part of undergraduate physics laboratories. The authors propose a single beam technique of holography, which will reduce the recording scheme as well as relax the isolation requirements. (HM)

The Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition has found that, if cross-cultural psychology has mounted a challenge to developmental psychology, it is because it has forced recognition of the fact that no context of observation, including the laboratory, is culturally neutral. Settings for behavior are embedded in larger systems of social…

Describes a method to form on a large fixed screen the succession of the diffraction patterns on the different infinity. This method is designed to be used in a college physics course. (HM)

Presents the philosophy and mechanics of a professionally oriented astronomy laboratory for nonscience majors. Design of the laboratory, description of the exercises, and the results of using this approach at the University of Kansas are also described. (HM)

Presents the results of the evaluation of a self-paced freshman physics laboratory and its assessment procedures used in the first-year physics course at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. (HM)

Describes a first-year chemistry experiment that illustrates the fundamental concepts of a photoinduced reaction. Qualitative and quantitative parts of the photoreduction of potassium ferrioxalate are detailed. (CS)

Describes an advanced level experiment in which a transition metal cluster compound, cyclopentadienylcarbonyliron tetramer, is synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. Its redox properties are then explored through cyclic voltammetry. (CS)

Describes an exercise which is currently used in a course in cell physiology at Oxford Polytechnic in England. This exercise can give students some idea of the molecular events involved in bringing about movement of chloroplasts (and other organelles) in plant cells. (HM)

Reports on the curriculum development process used as part of teacher education, identifying problems of teacher time and effort, relationship to the practical demands of classroom teaching, and links with other aspects of teacher's work. (Author/CK)

Discusses various experiments involving the teaching of vocabulary through the use of mnemonics, and describes an experiment which sought to test the effectiveness of the mnemonic method in acquiring writing skills in the foreign vocabulary. (AM)

Investigates the effect of the nonuniform irradiance across a laser beam on diffraction of the beam, specifically the Fraunhofer diffraction of a laser beam with a Gaussian irradiance profile as it passes through a circular aperture. (GA)

Interviews with participants in the Alum Rock Voucher Project revealed that the effects of a voucher system on teachers were varied and profound: greater teacher autonomy but increased responsibilities; more within-program cohesion but increased competition between programs; and greater parent involvement, requiring teachers to improve…

Spectroscopic aspects of the triboluminescence spectra of three Lifesaver candies are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the experimental methods of measuring spectra and origins of the tribaluminescence. (SA)

This experiment, in which students experiment on themselves, involves carrying out analytical methods for vitamin C using instrumental and "wet" techniques. (SA)

Background information on the acoustics of the violin is given as a basis for student physics laboratory projects. References are suggested that can provide a basis for many experiments. (SA)