Introduces and develops mathematical notation to assist undergraduate students in overcoming conceptual difficulties involving the underlying mathematics of state functions, which tend to be different from functions encountered by students in previous mathematical courses, because of the need to manipulate special types of partial derivatives and…

Provides insights on the development of a training program to help teachers instruct an introductory calculus-based physics course. (ZWH)

Describes a college reform effort that includes the development of a college science course for nonscience majors. The main goal of the course is to advocate the interdisciplinary nature of all sciences and to involve the students actively in the discovery process as a way of learning science. (ZWH)

Describes two simple sets of demonstrations regarding Arrhenius Theory of acids and bases to help students to understand the nature of theories and why they often must be changed. (ZWH)

Describes the use of a radio telescope to arouse new interest among students. The article partitions into the following sections: (1) Radio Astronomy--Which Level; (2) First Steps: The Site--The Antenna; (3) The Electronics: Do It Yourself, or Store Bought; (4) Field Test: Music of the Spheres; (5) Getting Started: Entry Level Projects; and (6)…

Discussed are the changing attitudes of the public about "technology in general" and how those attitudes can be affected by how the subject is introduced. Eight areas of technology were compared and three technology clusters were generated: automation, nuclear, and reproductive. Included are the method, results, summary, and conclusion. (KR)

Presented is a survey of five institutional mechanisms for allowing the lay public to influence environmental risk decisions. Discussed are public hearings, initiatives, public surveys, negotiated rule making, and citizens review panels. Defined is the democratic process criteria for assessing these and other participatory mechanisms. (KR)

There is a great deal of confusion in physics and chemistry textbooks, dictionaries, manuals, and handbooks about the definition of Avogadro's number and the term "mole." Avogadro's number is defined simply as the number of atomic mass units in one gram. Mole is defined as the mass of one Avogadro number of identical items. (Author/PR)

Participating in research is valuable for the undergraduate college student's development in the sciences. Students can observe the professor's typical behavior as he leads the research effort as well as learn and practice research ideas and techniques. Financial support is needed for this kind of research involvement. (MSE)

Described is an instrument for assessing science/technology/society (STS) literacy developed for a STS course. The interactive character of key science concepts used by various scientists, engineers, humanists, and social scientists lecturing in the course is emphasized. A copy of the exam and an STS literacy dictionary are included. (KR)

The integration of scientific and technical perspectives on modern life with the insights and understanding derived from such studies as philosophy, economics, and literature is described. The historic and aesthetic elements of technology and engineering are discussed. (KR)

Automated evaluation methods, used in medical school training programs, are discussed. The use of situational questions which help students to make connections between the biochemical knowledge acquired and its application in medical practice is proposed. Examples of these types of questions are included. (KR)

Addressed is the effectiveness of environmental education for promoting responsible citizenship behavior. A model of environmental citizenship behavior is presented. Goals for instruction in environmental education are discussed. (CW)

Swiss engineering education is detailed and the roles of public enterprise, society, industry, and the engineering profession are illustrated. Educational issues are discussed in an international context. (CW)

Discussed is misinformation people have on the subject of radiation. The importance of comparing artificial source levels of radiation to natural levels is emphasized. Measurements of radioactivity, its consequences, and comparisons between the risks induced by radiation in the environment and from artificial sources are included. (KR)