Based on a questionnaire to academic staff, this article examines the reading and writing tasks assigned to undergraduate science students at a South African university. The article finds that although academic staff in science value clearly written and well-organised writing, few see it as their task to induct students into this literacy. Instead…

A computational experiment is described for the organic chemistry laboratory that allows students to estimate the relative strengths of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds of usnic and isousnic acids, two related lichen secondary metabolites. Students first extract and purify usnic acid from common lichens and obtain [superscript 1]H NMR and IR…

Research is described concerning the effectiveness of inquiry-based laboratory environments created in US mathematics/science education programme courses. Laboratory projects were conducted using a framework that allowed pre-service teachers to explore, analyse, and communicate "investigable" realms of physical phenomena. Goals were for…

Qualitative analysis schemes are used in undergraduate laboratory settings as a way to introduce equilibrium concepts and logical thinking. The main component of all qualitative analysis schemes is a flame test, as the color of light emitted from certain elements is distinctive and a flame photometer or spectrophotometer in each laboratory is…

An environment appropriate for activity-oriented science is one that contains sufficient work space, equipment, and materials for students to practice and master the essential elements. This publication was developed to aid Texas school administrators, teachers, and architects to upgrade existing science facilities or plan new ones for…

Unified Technical Concepts (UTC) is a modular system for teaching applied physics in two-year postsecondary technician programs. This UTC laboratory textbook, the second of two volumes, consists of 45 learning modules dealing with basic concepts of physics. Addressed in the individual chapters of the guide are the following topics: force…

Describes a summer course in chemistry conducted by college teachers for children aged 9 through 12. The children were provided with simple laboratory equipment and performed actual experiments and recorded the results. A few demonstrations were given, but lecturing was kept to a minimum. (MLH)

Describes how to convert a wooden block into an apparatus to study friction. (LS)

Describes a project-oriented high school chemistry course that utilizes laboratory units in which the students make a practical product, such as soap, thus exposing them to career possibilities. (MLH)

Describes the construction and use of a simplified apparatus for fermentation studies. (LS)

Describes the investigations of the decomposition of a diazonium salt by the action of light. (LS)

Describes an experiment designed to develop an understanding of the basic acid neutralization reaction of sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, and aluminum hydroxide gel. Presents a procedure for the determination of reaction rate for an antacid in vitro and provides sample data for this determination. (GS)