Current information and research related to plant protein inhibitors of enzymes are reviewed, including potential uses of the inhibitors for medical treatment and for breeding plant varieties with greater resistance to insects. (DC)

Procedures for constructing an inexpensive, hands-on working model of DNA are provided, as well as suggestions for using the model in a high school or college biology class. (DC)

Some contentions of scientific creationism that conflict with accepted principles of geology (catastrophism, fossil records, earth's age, rock formation, second law of thermodynamics) are reviewed, demonstrating that these claims are based not on scientific research or reasonable conjecture but on Biblical references. (Author/DC)

Descriptions of equipment and procedures are provided for: (1) a detection system for mass-spring oscillations; (2) an economical holography table; (3) demonstration alternating-current circuit board; and (4) demonstration of damped oscillation using a set of magnets. (SK)

A 100-item five-choice multiple choice (MC) biology final exam was converted to multiple choice true-false (MTF) form to yield two content-parallel test forms comprised of the two item types. Students found the MTF items easier and preferred MTF over MC; the MTF subtests were more reliable. (Author/GK)

Laboratory procedures, equipment, teaching ideas, and resource materials related to physics are discussed. Topics include the construction of a liquid-metal pump, a hydraulic jack, and an apparatus which helps teach time/velocity graphs; current/voltage characteristics of a tungsten filament lamp; and an electric circuit game. (DC)

Introduces a teaching method called guided design which involves a series of problems and solutions with feedback that leads students in a logical sequence through material being taught. Presents 15 worksheets to demonstrate the use of this technique in an introductory ornithology course. (Author/DC)

A biology field course organized to study the effects of the June 1979 Mexican oil spill on the marine biology of the shores of south Texas and Mexico is described, demonstrating how to effectively couple a biology classroom course with a natural or human caused environmental disaster. (Author/DC)

An overview of the role of science and education in society in the People's Republic of China is provided, focusing on agricultural science and research. Topics include the four-level agro-science network, scientists and their social consciousness, and recent changes in educational policy. (DC)

Nine computer programs (available from the authors) are described including graphic display of molecular structures from crystallographic data, computer assisted instruction (CAI) with MATH subroutine, CAI preparation-for-chemistry course, calculation of statistical thermodynamic properties, qualitative analysis program, automated conductimetric…

Compares performance of first-year general chemistry college students from 32 institutions with performance of Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry Candidates in 1978 to provide a concurrent validity measure of the multiple-choice section of the AP chemistry examination. Average AP candidates scored significantly higher than average college students.…

Presents comments from a symposium at which scientists and science educators agreed that science education should focus more on problem solving and less on mastery of content. Also suggests ways to select textbooks that support a problem-solving approach. (DC)

Presents 15 energy-related physics problems, including a brief indication of the essential features for solving each problem. Problems reflect various energy-related situations and involve different areas of physics. (SK)

Examines the pros and cons of laboratory instruction. Complaints lodged against laboratory instruction include its high cost, and lack of research supporting the lab. Justifications listed include science education research supporting the lab, psychology, and common sense. (DS)

Describes: (1) a variable inductor suitable for an inductance-capacitance bridge consisting of a fixed cylindrical solenoid and a moveable solenoid; (2) long-range apparatus for demonstrating falling bodies; and (3) an apparatus using two lasers to demonstrate ray optics. (SK)