Described is a demonstration of Snell's law using a laser beam and an optical fiber. Provided are the set-up method of the demonstration apparatus and some practical suggestions including "index matching" technique using vaseline. (YP)

This paper identifies predictor variables for physics achievement in Nigerian high schools. Nine student variables (age, gender, home language, word knowledge, interest in physics, study habits, attitude, mathematical ability, and test anxiety) accounted for 63 percent of the total variance. Mathematical ability appeared to be the best predictor.…

Described are five physics activities including two superconductor projects, synchronizing video camera movements, electrical analysis of a bicycle, and apparatus for the measurement of thermal conductivity. (YP)

Students' understanding of the concept of relative speed is described. A variety of ways of understanding relative speed and of viewing a problem that dealt with this concept were uncovered. The results are used to suggest ways for teachers to proceed in assisting students to enhance their understanding of relative speed. (PR)

A Monash University (Australia) program to enhance the chemistry and physics preparation of secondary school graduates entering engineering in higher education offers one-semester intensive courses. The first four years of the program have produced encouraging results. Coordination of practical work and theory is seen as crucial to learning. (MSE)

Presents a diagnostic test for measuring college biology students' understanding of diffusion. Three general steps were used: (1) defining the content boundaries; (2) collecting information on students' misconceptions; and (3) instrument development. The split half reliability was 0.74, difficulty indices ranged from 0.23 to 0.95, and the…

Presents activities that enable students to determine the exact time of midday and to use this to plot a north-south line. Uses shadow experiments to teach the concepts of rotation of the earth and calculation of latitude. (JRH)

Describes the development of a gravity model based upon principles of spatial interaction to predict the circulation of libraries in the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (Indiana). The model effectively predicted past circulation figures and was tested by predicting future library circulation, particularly for a new branch library.…

Describes efforts aimed at reforming physics courses for first-year engineering and science students at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. Discusses the establishment and working of the Physics Learning Center (PLC) and its impact on the retention and performance of students. (JRH)

Presents techniques aimed at promoting a higher level of student-faculty interaction and active student participation in the learning process in introductory physics lecture classes. Discusses group problem solving, the use of flash cards, and assessment. (JRH)

Describes a method to obtain three-dimensional (3-D) representations of data on a computer using commercial data-plotting or spreadsheet analysis software in any personal computer. (JRH)

Describes two broad approaches to the introduction of the concept of energy in school science: the psychology-driven positions and the academic physics-driven positions. Outlines interrelationships, relative merits in certain circumstances, and the extent they might feed into each other. Presents historical evidence that they may not be as…

Describes a simple form of chromatography that illustrates several concepts of chemistry and physics and requires only inexpensive and readily available materials. (PR)

Describes a Principles of Technology course as an innovative approach to teaching physics that does away will the hype and stigma that frightens off many potential students. (PR)

Discussion of the use of programming as a learning activity focuses on software-realized scaffolding. Emile, software that facilitates programming for modeling and simulation in physics, is described, and results of an evaluation of the use of Emile with high school students are reported. (Contains 95 references.) (LRW)