Concepts used by two classes of grade eight students, one advanced and the other average, to explain the changes that occur when water is heated to boiling are presented. Little difference was found between groups in terms of the personal misconceptions used to explain boiling. The changes that take place in conceptual knowledge immediately after…

Describes two high school courses, "Chemistry of Technology (Chem Tech)" and "Physics of Technology (Physics Tech)," that emphasize multidisciplinary learning through applicative, hands-on activities. Provides course descriptions, lists the advantages of using a unified science-technology model, and discusses limitations of…

Discusses an alternative form of the quadratic formula to solve quadratic equations. Presents an application to chemistry to illustrate the need for quadratic formulas better suited to approximations obtained using hand-held calculators. Addresses the problems of rounding errors, accuracy of solutions, and factoring as a method of solution. (MDH)

This research used semistructured interviews to investigate students' (n=32) understanding of electrochemistry following a 7-9 week course of instruction. Three misconceptions were identified and incorporated with five previously reported into an alternative framework about electric current involving drifting electrons. Also noted was the tendency…

This article reviews various models in the neurological conceptualization of attention deficit disorder (ADD), with and without hyperactivity. It discusses neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological perspectives on ADD. (Author/DB)

Language problems occurring in chemistry lectures given by English-speaking lecturers to Omani students are examined. All problems originated because of the limited common areas of reference between students and lecturers. It is suggested that the kind of learning of words that occurs in these lectures entails a very limited knowledge of these…

Describes a project that explores the use of interactive computer software for teaching Einstein's special theory of relativity to secondary students. Also describes ways to use computers to help students visualize and experiment with otherwise inaccessible phenomena. (ZWH)

Described is an activity in which students learn how a battery produces electricity, why at least one electrode is destroyed when electricity is produced, and how electrolytes and temperature affect the process. Needed materials and directions for building a battery are listed. (KR)

Guidelines are offered to research administrators for reducing the volume of hazardous laboratory waste. Suggestions include a chemical location inventory, a chemical reuse facility, progressive contracts with chemical suppliers, internal or external chemical recycling mechanisms, a "chemical conservation" campaign, and laboratory fees for…

Children of 2 different age groups (11-12, n=246; and 13-14, n=196) were asked to draw and write about dissolving in 2 different ways. Greater percentage of children at both ages gave accurate particle interpretation that accurate view of observable process. Consistency between two ways of looking at dissolving was not found to improve with age.…

Ways in which linear lesson sequences can be modified to provide increased opportunities for open-ended activities especially with problem solving are considered. Examples drawn from chemistry and plant reproduction, seeds, and germination are given. (KR)

This study questions the effectiveness of a traditional teaching-by-example technique when used with students who hold misconceptions. Interview techniques were used to explore students' (n=21) responses to two different uses of examples and to provide indications of student reasoning. Results indicate that when students hold a misconception,…

Describes research that was conducted to determine and then compare which Anglo American Cataloging 2 (AACR2) rules were used to assign access points for random samples of monographs in chemistry and in economics. Implications for automatic cataloging using expert systems are explored, and suggestions for further studies are given. (10 references)…

Discussed are the results of a survey of 92 chemical engineering departments in the United States. Semester hours, curricular area distribution including basic courses and electives, and staffing data are summarized and discussed. (CW)