Presents eight chemistry activities that are interesting and involve simple, easily available materials. Topics include mystery writing, valentine hearts, flame tests, evaporation race, buoyancy versus mass, determination of relative masses of gases, mole sample container, and cold and hot packs. (DDR)

Recommends an approach to the treatment of acid-base equilibria that involves treating each reaction as either going to completion or not occurring at all. Compares the method with the traditional approach step by step. (DDR)

Describes a method for experimenting with both whitening and deacidifying old newspaper clippings using sodium borohydride bleaching. Clippings are soaked in distilled water then immersed in sodium borohydride for 15-20 minutes. After rinsing with distilled water, the paper is washed with saturated Ca(OH)2 solution. Readers should not begin…

Describes a project designed to introduce infrared spectroscopy as a structure-determination technique. Students are introduced to infrared spectroscopy fundamentals then try to determine the identity of an unknown liquid from its infrared spectrum and molecular weight. The project demonstrates that only rarely can the identity of even simple…

Describes chemistry laboratory experiments that can be done with student-designed investigations. Suggests approaches for restructuring traditional chemistry laboratories. (DKM)

Describes an activity that integrates chemistry, physics, and a Native American legend to help students imitate the thought processes of scientists who have observed chemical decomposition and the refraction of light. Includes a laboratory experiment for sugar decomposition. (DKM)

Describes the National ADC0804, an inexpensive and readily available integrated ADC converter that can convert an analog voltage to an 8-bit signal. Includes schematic drawings. (DDR)

Presents three science activities: (1) Pizza Quadrants, a tool for estimating population size; (2) Ion Models, to assist students in understanding how to balance equations; and (3) Endangered Species Project, an interdisciplinary unit. (DDR)

Presents science activities used to teach 7th-grade students about the atom. Examines student misconceptions, age-appropriateness, and conflicts between state and federal science standards. (DKM)

Reviews the general literature on cooperative learning in science at both the secondary and postsecondary level and the use of cooperative learning in the college chemistry laboratory. Discusses the use of cooperative learning with other instructional techniques such as the use of computers, multimedia, and inquiry-based instruction. (JRH)

Describes a simple and graphic demonstration of molecular motion that utilizes a hot plate, a beaker, tap water, India ink, and a Pasteur pipette with a rubber bulb. Provides tips on guiding students to an understanding of molecular motion using this demonstration. (DDR)

Describes the content and development of a curriculum that provides an approach to descriptive chemistry and the history of technology through consideration of the pottery, metallurgy, pigments, dyes, agriculture, and medicine of pre-Columbian people. (DDR)

Describes an activity designed to give students practice in generating, analyzing, and interpreting class data to create a concrete representation of relative mass and atomic mass unit. The activity uses rice, corn, and beans and employs a historical approach to engage students. (DDR)

Describes how the technique of concept mapping can be useful for identifying gaps in preservice teachers' knowledge. Validity of the technique was tested using blind interviews with a representative sample of eight trainees. Has potential as a valuable self-diagnostic tool for teachers teaching outside their area of specialization. (DDR)

Describes a "Synthesis and Reactivity" curriculum that focuses on the correlation of laboratory experiments with lecture topics and the extension of laboratory exercises beyond the usual four-hour period. Highlights experiments developed and an out-of-class computational chemistry exercise using CAChe, a versatile molecular modeling…