Reviews and compares results of content analysis studies of selected high school science laboratory handbooks using the Laboratory Structure and Task Analysis Inventory (LAI). Findings from two biology, two chemistry, and two physics handbooks indicate highly structured investigations where students perform manipulative and observational…

The general mathematics curriculum improvement program undertaken at Procter Hug High School in Reno, Nevada is described. The mathematics laboratory is seen to be an indispensable part of the general mathematics curriculum. (MP)

Techniques are described for using living plants in the elementary science classroom including the germination and planting of seeds, transplanting seedlings, vegetative propagation, stem and leaf cuttings, and other plant studies. (DS)

The author visited 12 teacher-education programs in six southern and midwestern states. He reports on current practices in pre-student teaching laboratory training, student teaching, and extended campus programs. (SJL)

Compares three popular approaches to experiential learning with respect to purpose, philosophy, format, leadership, language, and strategy. Each is uniquely designed to elicit highly emotional involvement, confessions of failure in the past and immediate present, and attempts to communicate with integrity. (JMF)

Describes an undergraduate experiment which uses derivative spectroscopy to investigate the validity of the Planck function appearing in the blackbody radiation law. These measurements allow a critical examination of this function and also serve as an introduction to derivative spectroscopy techniques. (Author/HM)

Describes the use of a time-sharing computer and an x-y plotter in a variation of the laboratory exercise on the physical pendulum. (HM)

Describes a 9-hour organic chemistry experiment that involves the isolation of (+)-limonene from orange peels and conversion of this product into (-)-carvone. (CS)

Describes an advanced undergraduate laboratory experiment designed to give the senior chemistry student an opportunity to apply several synthetic and purification techniques as well as possibilities for the application of NMR spectroscopy. (CS)

When examining complex waveforms by examining oscillograms from simple resonant circuits, interpretation problems occur. These problematic oscillograms are explainable by recognizing that the typical resonant filters pass significant amounts of several harmonics adjacent to the one intended. Adjacent harmonics effects are computed; resulting…

Examines the question of the role of laboratory work in influencing Israeli students' perceptions of their chemistry laboratory learning environment. Compares responses on a learning environment inventory of two groups of students, high school students and students enrolled in vocational schools to become future laboratory technicians. (CS)

Describes problems associated with listening to recorded materials and the benefits of using a speech compressor/expander. The device speeds up or slows down recorded speech without distortions and has been used with success in second language instruction, research, and testing. (JN)

The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) uses a unique, individualized, Self-Instruction Lab to improve students' communication skills. The lab provides students with supplemental independent classroom practice that helps lessen time demands for the teacher. (Author/PHR)

Examines the reorientation process underway at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Discusses the evolution of the laboratory school in general. Reflects upon the history of the Chicago Laboratory Schools and their theories and practical contributions, and weighs prospects for future educational quality in an urbanized, technological…

Describes three activities: determination of the heat of combustion of a commercial breakfast cereal, qualitative analysis of halogens using hexane, and production of transparent soap. (CS)