Describes various data suggesting that certain groups of students can handle challenging college programs effectively. Discusses who these students are and how, if at all, their high school preparation differs from that of the college students who require remedial courses. (Author/MA)

Cites statistics on undergraduate and graduate study in chemistry and chemical engineering at higher education institutions approved by the American Chemical Society. (MLH)

Explains the procedures used in an experiment that reinforces the universality of the concepts of saturation using the binding of the ligand aspartame to the protein receptor that determines taste. Illustrates the hyperbolic nature of protein binding. (DDR)

Lists 36 topics that may optimize the effectiveness of teaching and learning in the scientific disciplines at the university level. Topics are related to planning for instruction, the role of a syllabus in guiding instruction, and interaction strategies. (DDR)

As a result of the inefficiency of lectures, the increase in scientific knowledge, and today's cooperative work environment, several written assignments for teams were designed for chemistry students. Assignments consist of fundamental topics and definitions eliminated from lectures. Benefits besides the group experience included better textbook…

Describes a high school chemistry class that regularly studies a local river to incorporate hands-on environmental studies into chemistry topics. This integration has proven to be a successful technique to make science come alive for students, arouse students' curiosity, and convince students that chemistry is indeed everywhere. (DKM)

Discusses the revamping of high school biology and chemistry curricula with the guiding principles of hands-on science and performance-based assessment. Includes goal identification, program design, and a discussion on measures of success. (DDR)

Presents three problems based on the price of aluminum designed to encourage students to be cooperative and to use an investigative approach to learning. Students collect and synthesize information, analyze results, and draw conclusions. (AIM)

Access to professional development opportunities for in-service high school chemistry teachers remains a problem. In an effort to increase teacher access, a new cross-listed course called Chemistry 869/Curriculum and Instruction 869 was created at the University of Nebraska and offered via the Internet. Describes this course in microscale…

This article describes and tests a theory of scientific discovery learning based on the Scientific Discovery as Dual Search (SDDS) model. A study of 22 university chemistry students determined that conditions for performing a search operation in hypothesis space include sufficient knowledge of the search operation and reasons for choosing a…

Describes the use of batch-oriented computing as the basis for reintroducing homework problems as a teaching tool in beginning chemistry instruction. Stems from and expands upon a system used in a university setting that produces, delivers, grades, and keeps records for homework problems. (DDR)

Explores the relationship between scientists' orientation to one another and to an experimental apparatus, analyzing as data a videotaped authentic interaction among co-workers in a chemistry laboratory. Demonstrates how the scientists display systematic orientation to the apparatus as their common spatial point of reference and the physical…

Describes the use of concept maps as a metacognitive tool to help chemistry teachers and learners improve teaching and learning. Concept maps were used in response to changes in the conceptions of the nature of scientific knowledge and in how learning occurs. Concept maps are valuable in documenting and exploring the restructuring of conceptual…

Describes a joint venture between the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the Department of Education in France that was created to allow students to do practical scientific work with the help of a CNRS researcher. Presents two practical projects done by students on organic polymers and on color. Concludes that this increases…

Discusses Web-based science instruction for deaf students and the need to be aware of factors such as reading ability, motivation, and the need for visual reinforcement of science content. Summarizes three empirical research studies related to earth science, chemistry, and physical science instruction for deaf students. (Author/LRW)