To have students develop observational skills and acquire an excitement about chemistry, stereoscopic dissecting microscopes are used to observe the physical characteristics and chemical reactions of various substances. Several of these reactions (including dissolving potassium permanganate in deionized water and reactions between copper metal and…

The International System of Units (SI) or the metric system contains related units which make science simpler for students and teachers. By emphasizing descriptive units, requiring unit use throughout calculations, and using negative exponents, teachers can help students have a better understanding of energy, pressure, and mass concepts. (DH)

Suggests that a literature survey can alert students to real-life ethical problems surrounding many organic compounds. Topic areas students could explore include: hazards in the workplace, toxic chemicals, and nerve gas structures. Background information and an extensive bibliography are given. (DH)

Discusses the diversity of names used for various types of polymeric materials. Concentrates on the naming of linear organic polymers. Delineates these polymers by discussing common names, source-based names, characteristic group names, and structure-based names. Introduces the specifications of tacticity and geometric isomerism. (TW)

Reviews basic information on the Chemistry of strontium and its compounds. Explains biological aspects of strontium and its pharmaceutical applications. Highlights industrial application of strontium and its components. (ML)

Presents data on the number of bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from institutions whose programs are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Reviews the programs and activities endorsed by the ACS Board of Directors in April, 1986. (ML)

Describes a procedure for teaching the "generator orbital" (GO) approach of molecular orbital bonding in polyatomic molecules. Explains how the GO can be utilized with students in generating the vibrational, rotational, and translational modes of molecules in a completely pictorial manner. (ML)

Defines spreadsheet programs in terms of their uses in chemistry. Describes several spreadsheet models and processes. Discusses macrocommands, graphics, data transfer, Environmental Protection Agency Contract Laboratory Program reporting, spreadsheet reliability and performance, and software limitations. (CW)

Describes some examples of chemical and industrial applications of enzymes. Includes a background, a discussion of structure and reactivity, enzymes as therapeutic agents, enzyme replacement, enzymes used in diagnosis, industrial applications of enzymes, and immobilizing enzymes. Concludes that applied enzymology is an important factor in…

Conveys an appreciation of enzyme kinetic analysis by using a practical and intuitive approach. Discusses enzyme assays, kinetic models and rate laws, the kinetic constants (V, velocity, and Km, Michaels constant), evaluation of V and Km from experimental data, and enzyme inhibition. (CW)

Examines the use of different terms in chemistry. Addresses the use of imprecise, uninformative, inappropriate, and wrong terms, as well as the lack of clarity in imprecise or uninformative names for methods of chemical analysis. Provides lists of examples of both types of terminology problems. (TW)

This section of the journal includes several short notes on science activities and materials for secondary schools. Activities and materials are included that relate to biology, microbiology, microcomputers, chemistry, and physics. (RH)

Illustrates the 18 steps to the development of a model of a coordination polyhedron that represents the cubic closest-packed structure. Uses a sealed, empty envelope in developing the model in teaching about stereochemistry. (TW)

This paper illustrates one cycle of research development, implementation, and evaluation in an ongoing long-term improvement activity for the 10th-grade chemistry curriculum in Israel. The incorporation of student modes of thinking (correct and incorrect) about central chemistry concepts into the curriculum and an evaluation of new curriculum are…

Tested two hypotheses: (1) formal reasoning is required to balance simple one-step equations; and (2) formal reasoning plus sufficient mental capacity are required to balance many-step equations. Independent variables included intellectual development, mental capacity, and degree of field dependence/independence. With 25 subjects, significance was…