Discusses the rationale for and use of minilabs (requiring from 15 to 90 minutes to complete) for freshmen chemistry experiments. Provides several examples, advantages for students and instructors, and results of a questionnaire evaluation completed by 83 students. (JN)

Reports on a longitudinal study of retention of science learning carried out in Israel (from grade 8 to grade 10, ages 13-16). Findings show that retention of meaningful school materials does exist from one course to another, even over relatively extended materials. (JN)

Traces the growth in the industrial usage of organometallic chemistry from 1950 to 1977, pointing out that this growth involved the production of commodity chemicals. Indicates that one of the early successes of organometallic chemistry was the discovery of ethylene polymerization catalysts. (JN)

Outlines the development of the modern catalysts for propylene polymerization, considering the historical background; structure of titanium chloride catalysts; first-generation catalysts; cocatalysts; second-generation catalysts; catalysts morphology; and third-generation (supported catalysts). (JN)

Results from the Second International Science Study showed achievement differences in biology and chemistry tended to favor Ontario students enrolled in non-semestered classes, but attitude findings were more favorable among students in semestered schools. (LMO)

From an understanding of how the solar system was formed, scientists have determined the conditions under which life probably originated on earth and, by experiment, have demonstrated a number of possible theories. These conditions, experiments, theories, and related topics are discussed. (JN)

Provides safety considerations related to chemistry experiments and demonstrations. Includes procedures for a volcano demonstration (which does not use ammonium dichromate) and three clock reactions, a list of hazardous chemicals, and a list of questions to help decide whether the risk of an experiment is acceptable for a class. (JN)

Discusses the nature and role of models in various aspects of the chemistry curriculum, examining the purposes and importance of tangible, linguistic, arithmetical, thermodynamic, and quantum-physical models. Strategies in using models in laboratory work and in lecture demonstrations are also considered. (JN)

Describes an experiment for recording two individual spectrophotometer response curves. The two curves are directly related to the power of transmitted beams that pass through a solvent and solution. An absorption spectrum of the solution can be constructed from the calculated rations of the curves as a function of wavelength. (JN)

The simulation of titration and qualitative analysis experiments by means of computer-driven laser videodisc recordings is described. (JN)

Discusses various aspects of scientific software, including evaluation and selection of commercial software products; program exchanges, catalogs, and other information sources; major data analysis packages; statistics and chemometrics software; and artificial intelligence. (JN)

The neurochemistry and physiology of memory and learning should be relevant to classroom techniques and methods of study. Findings should be examined to discover where positive and negative cross-correlated effects might occur between basic science information and educational methods. (MLW)

Highlights an American Chemical Society (ACS) survey of 103 chemistry departments on their instrumentation needs. The 2-year study affirms that instruments used for chemical research and education are becoming outdated because of their age and changes in technology. The survey also reveals how departments plan to use newly acquired instruments.…

Describes inservice chemistry enrichment courses and programs offered by the University of Alabama in Birmingham. They include academic year programs, mini-term courses, technique courses, special interest courses, special format courses, travel-study programs, and special workshops and conferences. Preservice chemistry teacher programs are also…

Background information procedures used, results obtained, and instructional strategies are provided for an experiment using thin layer chromatography in conjunction with the synthesis of polystyrene. The experiment has been used and evaluated in a sophomore-level organic chemistry laboratory. (JN)