The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a scheme for the analysis of flow diagrams. The flow diagrams in question are a schematic representation of written instructions that require students to process the text of their practical manual. It was hoped that an analysis of the flow diagrams would provide insight into students'…

An important part of the science classroom involves teaching students how to safely use tools, techniques, and procedures. As emphasized in the National Science Education Standards, "safety is a fundamental concern in all experiential science" and teachers must "teach students how to engage safely in investigations inside and outside the…

We investigated whether postextinction administration of methylene blue (MB) could enhance retention of an extinguished conditioned response. MB is a redox compound that at low doses elevates cytochrome oxidase activity, thereby improving brain energy production. Saline or MB (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally) were administered to rats for 5 d following…

This study tested the efficacy of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet in treating autism using a randomized, double blind repeated measures crossover design. The sample included 15 children aged 2-16 years with autism spectrum disorder. Data on autistic symptoms and urinary peptide levels were collected in the subjects' homes over the 12…

Web-based computer-aided instruction (CAI) has become increasingly important to medical curricula. This multi-year study investigated the effectiveness of CAI and the factors affecting level of individual use. Three CAI were tested that differed in specificity of applicability to the curriculum and in the level of student interaction with the CAI.…

This document describes ways to work with DNA and host organisms in precollege classrooms. The guidelines are intended to assist the teacher who already has training in working with microbes, DNA, and associated chemicals. The contents of the guidelines include: (1) Permitted DNA molecules, vectors, and recommended host organisms for constructing…

Describes problems encountered in teaching a problem-centered undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory course. No text is used for this type of course; the students are encouraged to plan their own experimental routes. (MLH)

A laboratory experiment, based on a simple electric circuit that can be used to demonstrate the existence of real-world "related rates" problems, is outlined and an equation for voltage across the capacitor terminals during discharge is derived. The necessary materials, setup methods, and experimental problems are described. A student laboratory…

To demonstrate that properly designed laboratory instruction does provide affective and higher order learning benefits, an experiment was carried out in two replications. The subjects were 80 students enrolled in General Microbiology at Wallace Community College, Alabama. Students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The…

Presents a quantitative analysis of the "figure 8" found on the globes of most earth science textbooks, using an exercise of year's eccentric shadow plotting techniques. Indicates that the exercise can serve to change a student's abstract "figure 8" to his real learning experience. (CC)

This publication is the third product of the project to significantly update and reorder the Science Syllabus for Middle and Junior High Schools of the State of New York, Department of Education. The understandings, questions, and learning activities in the publication have been enhanced by the inclusion and referencing of program objectives,…

This document is an instructional module package prepared in objective form for use by an instructor familiar with general inorganic chemistry. Included are objectives, instructor guides and student handouts. The module considers matter, compounds, chemical equations, solutions, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases and solubility equilibria.…

This book contains 65 physics experiments. The experiments are for a college-level physics course for music and art majors. The initial experiments are devoted to the general concept of vibration and cover vibrating strings, air columns, reflection, and interference. Later experiments explore light, color perception, cameras, mirrors and symmetry,…

This document contains investigations for topics 1-4 in the earth science course developed by the University of the State of New York for secondary schools. Topics include observation and measurement, the changing environment, measuring the earth, and earth motions. Each topic is preceded by the Investigations-Understandings Matrix which…