Identifies four views of the nature of the science/technology relationship: Idealist, Demarcationist, Materialist, and Interactionist. Analyzes high school physics textbooks in light of these relationship types and finds that the texts are dominated by an idealist storyline that presents a limited view of the history and philosophy of…

Describes the construction of an exponential decay graph that can be used in a science class to support discussions about the uses of radioactivity, its risks, limitations, and advantages. (WRM)

Organizes a reading of the conceptual change literature that brings into view a collection of design specifications for a conceptual change apparatus. Analyzes one such apparatus in the particulars of a science education demonstration program produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Private Universe Project. (Contains 114 references.) (Author/WRM)

Explores the tension between subject knowledge and pedagogic content knowledge in elementary teacher education by documenting students' and inservice teachers' learning about forces in the context of floating and sinking. Describes significant features of the learning process and examines subject-specific aspects of learning by demonstrating how…

Describes a set-up for sending the infrared signal from a common remote control device to an oscilloscope in order to "see" the infrared signal. (WRM)

Describes the construction and use of a magnetic needle that is stronger than those conventionally used for experiments with electromagnetism. (WRM)

Discusses the development and use of Personal Assistants for Learning (PALs) computer tutorials for teaching applications of Newton's Laws. Finds that the tutorials were nearly as effective as individual tutoring by expert teachers and considerably more effective than the instruction provided in a well-taught physics class. (Contains over 30…

Describes the MAOF physics education program which is designed to relate large parts of mechanics and electromagnetism to each other via the key concepts of field and potential, while at the same time treat students' conceptual difficulties. Finds that students who studied with the MAOF program significantly improved their physics knowledge…

Telling stories can be an effective way of introducing science concepts. This article provides an annotated bibliography of fiction and nonfiction books for K-12 students and adults on static electricity, surface tension, bubbles, chromatography, slugs and other creatures, plants, physical and chemical change, strength of shapes, collections of…

Contains information on rain sticks and other similar musical instruments. Describes procedures for making rain sticks and using them in the study of sound. Discusses the physics of sound and how to utilize computers to study sound with rain sticks. (DDR)

Investigates variations in students' responses to lever problems across multiple assessment contexts and formats. Data sources include students' semantic maps, written responses to questions, and modeled solutions to practical problems. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

Presents a set of methodological procedures to analyze student arguments. Uses discourse analysis based on perspectives from the philosophy of science and sociolinguistics. Explores conditions leading to warranted arguments. Contains 60 references. (DDR)

Describes some of the options for teaching basic physics that utilize the vast array of teaching resources now available. Claims that astronomy is an interesting and effective vehicle for teaching physics. (DDR)

Presents two quantitative Faraday's law experiments using a computer-assisted data-logging system. (Author/ASK)

Attempts to elucidate the relationship between physics achievement and psychological constructs. Concludes that cognitive factors and interest contribute relatively stable components in all the path analyses. Contains 27 references. (DDR)