Secondary analysis of data collected from random samples of Australian (n=1,177) and American (n=537) high school chemistry students involved in the Second International Science Study was compared. Of eight chemistry content areas, Australian students were superior to American students in all areas except theoretical and organic chemistry.…

Describes a yearlong project that involves biology students in monitoring water quality. Includes details of the awareness phase, action phase, and presentation phase. Discusses student reaction to the project. (DDR)

Investigates Grade 12 students' understandings of the nature of chemical bonds and the energetics elicited across five familiar chemical reactions following a course of instruction. Discusses the many ways in which students can misconstruct concepts and principles. Contains 63 references. (DDR)

Recounts news stories published in the United States in 1989 that reported possible cancer risks from eating apples treated with a growth regulation chemical. Discusses how the initial alarmist stories launched a vigorous media debate over pesticide risks. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Discusses whether to provide library instruction for undergraduate chemistry majors as a separate class or integrated into courses, particularly for those who receive a degree certified by the American Chemical Society. The authors suggest that a librarian coordinate course-integrated instruction throughout the undergraduate curriculum. (LRW)

Outlines and defends claims about the metaphysical nature of the theory of Democritus; the modified theories of Gassendi, Boyle, and Newton; and the chemical atomic theory of John Dalton. (DDR)

Describes the use of a quiz that asks elementary but probing questions about chemistry and delivers the message to students that they have much to gain from chemical education. Arises out of concern over lack of student motivation in chemistry. (DDR)

Differences in the status of ontological categories on the concept maps of secondary-, undergraduate- and graduate-level chemistry students were analyzed with the "Pathfinder" scaling algorithm and multidimensional scaling. Results indicate differences among groups in the structural significance of abstract process-related nodes and…

Describes an open-ended activity in which students try to determine the factors that contribute to an unusual chemical reaction. Uses a case study approach to show students how the presence of chlorine in tap water can interfere with a pH indicator. Includes assessment guidelines and extension activities. (WRM)

Discusses the role of chemical-equation problem solving in helping students predict reaction products. Methods for helping students learn this process must be taught to students and future teachers by using pedagogical skills within the content of chemistry. Emphasizes that solving chemical reactions should involve creative cognition where…

Describes the biochemical structure and functions of the enzyme chymosin. Presents activities to familiarize students with fundamental aspects of enzyme-substrate interaction. (WRM)

Presents a procedure for creating a colored superabsorbant polymer gel. Pieces of the gel can be used to demonstrate convection currents in heating water. (WRM)

Describes a chemistry-related board game that can be used to build nomenclature, equation-balancing, and product-predicting skills. (WRM)

Describes a first-year course in General Chemistry that incorporates the principles of active engagement and the learning cycle paradigm. Recommends student small-group instruction and guided-inquiry laboratory investigations. (WRM)

Describes a role-play activity designed to help students understand the energy changes involved in an exothermic reaction by modeling the concepts of bond-breaking takes in energy, activation energy, temperature rise, and bond breaking gives out energy. (WRM)