Large lecture sections of science staffed by a single instructor make it impossible to provide individual student attention and lead to high dropout and failure rates. Daily assignments are used to encourage students to identify areas that need remediation, maintain a steady study pace, receive positive reinforcement, and learn methods of solving…

Two implanted slide techniques are described by which activity of proteolylic bacteria and the growth of algae in the soil can be readily studied by school students using simple apparatus and methods. Variations are suggested for studying the effects of agricultural practices and environmental conditions on the soil bacteria and algae. (Author/DS)

Discusses laboratory investigations designed to allow students to solve problems without using predetermined mathematical formulas. As a result, laboratory problems force students to think. In addition, some students formulate their own mathematical relationships and enhance their understanding of the connection between mathematics and…

Discusses concept of covalent bonding as related to homonuclear diatomic molecules. Article draws attention to the existence of bound rare gas and alkaline earth diatomic molecules. Summarizes their molecular parameters and offers spectroscopic data. Strength and variation with distance of interatomic attractive forces is given. (Author/SA)

This article shows that, by applying the Hellman-Feynman theorem alone to screened Coulomb potentials, the first four coefficients in the energy series in powers of the perturbation parameter can be obtained from the unperturbed Coulomb system. (Author/HM)

Discusses the nature of the impurity modes in a monatomic chain employing a molecular mode. This approach brings out clearly the characteristics of the inband, localized, and resonant modes of substitutions impurities in crystals. (Author/HM)

Describes a method to determine the thermal diffusivity of a polymer, which is suitable for the undergraduate laboratory. It serves as a practical demonstration of classical Fourier theory. (Author/HM)

Describes an undergraduate organic chemistry course at Colorado State University that employs student-designed laboratory procedures in the laboratory. An outline illustrating the use of this approach is included. Advantages over the traditional approach are detailed. (BT)

Describes the latest stage in the design of an economical dielectric constant cell, tested in both instructional and research applications, that is suitable for student laboratories and for precision research measurements. (BT)

Expresses concern by chemists at Oakland University about the hazard of toxic substances, particularly as this concern is not shared by nonchemists in the occupational safety and health fields. Describes a four-year curriculum focused at producing occupational health generalists with a firm scientific foundation. (CS)

Provides a list of the reactions commonly used for introductory kinetics studies. These reactions illustrate the kinetics concepts of rate law, rate constant, and reaction order. Describes a kinetic study of the hydrolysis of 3-bromo-3-phenylpropanoic acid which offers many educational advantages. (CS)

Presented is a description of a technical laboratory-oriented science course dealing with the science of enology or wine-making. Experiments and the distillation apparatus are described. (SA)

Described is a method for the illustration of the statistical nature of measurements in quantum physics by means of simulation with pocket calculators. The application to examples like the double-slit experiment, Mott scattering, and the demonstration of the uncertainty relation is discussed. (Author/HM)

Examines three issues: the negative nature of today's stereotype of a scientist; the relationship of present stereotypes to course enrollment; and the relationship of the closeness of self-image and stereotype to course enrollment in science. Analysis of semantic differential items reveal differences among science and nonscience college majors.…

Provides short descriptions of computer application in chemistry including displaying organic molecules, solving stoichiometry problems, developing laboratory schedules, programing periodic chart information on pocket calculators, editing chemical manuscripts, instruction in Lewis Structures of simple molecules, a kinetic simulation system, and…