Describes the author's experiences incorporating cooperative learning strategies into a chemistry course. Includes information on organizing student working groups, preparing for and implementing cooperative activities, and helping students evaluate the effectiveness of their groups. (WRM)

Describes the results of an analysis of Spanish high school chemistry textbooks (n=58) published from 1974 to 1998 for their treatment of metallic bonding. Reports on what aspects of metallic bonding are usually taught, how it is taught, and the potential that textbooks have to create meaningful learning in students. Contains 104 references.…

Presents two classroom activities that help students visualize the concept of entropy and appreciate that entropy tends to increase spontaneously. Contains 20 references. (WRM)

Discusses an approach to the first day of general chemistry class that utilizes principles of constructivism, collaborative and cooperative groups, and student-centered learning. (CCM)

Describes two related color-change reactions that are relatively easy and safe to demonstrate. In the "Sunday School Reaction", a black and a white solution are mixed to form a white solution. In the "South Africa Reaction", a series of black, brown, red, and white solutions are mixed to form a clear, colorless solution. (WRM)

Discusses a college science course designed for juniors and seniors who are going to be elementary teachers. Focuses on hands-on activities, understanding the nature of science, and conducting scientific research. Explores student misconceptions and conceptual changes on elementary science subjects. (YDS)

Establishes a relationship between students' understanding of gases and its parallels in the history of science. Finds that college freshman students' alternative conceptions about gas behavior are resistant to change and recapitulate theories scientists held in the past, such as the Lattice Theory of Gases. (Contains 52 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes the erroneous use of the term "dissolve" in chemistry textbooks to refer to what is, more properly speaking, a chemical reaction. (WRM)

Argues for including several key ideas in every introductory general chemistry course, including the phenomena of chemistry, the organization and classification of matter, atomic structure, molecular bonding and molecular structure, the language of chemistry, the mole, chemical reactions and reactivity, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and…

Describes a study that used the ordered-tree technique to investigate knowledge change across the first semester of a college course in organic chemistry. Finds that over the course of the semester, students' knowledge trees became more similar to those of their professors. Discusses possible assessment uses for the ordered-tree technique.…

Describes two ways of making photograms-silhouette-like images using light sensitive paper. One activity calls for regular photographic paper and processing, and the other uses special "sun print" paper that processes in plain water. (WRM)

Describes various aspects of the composition, production, historical, and current use of glass in human society. Gives print and Internet references for further information. (WRM)

Discusses changes in teaching methods and students' learning processes with the development of technology in science education. (YDS)

Details a lesson that utilizes trigonometric identities to determine the optimal angle between the atoms of covalent bonds. Generates a proof of the optimal angle for a molecule with four identical atoms bonded to a central atom that has a complete valence shell. (DDR)

Begins with the procedure and results from an investigation on the effect of fluoride on the reaction between eggshell (substitute teeth) and dilute ethanoic acid. Describes an elegantly modified and improvised apparatus. (DDR)