Offers perspectives on the future of chemical engineering. Addresses concerns related to changes in the engineering industry, the role of chemical engineers, and changes in the education of engineers. Includes recommendations for curricular change. (ML)

Discusses the use of astrological signs as a vehicle for getting students interested in astronomy. Describes the construction and use of simple stellaphane starframes that can be used to locate astrological constellations. Provides instructions for photographing constellations with a 35 millimeter camera. (TW)

Discusses a study which examined if inadequate study approaches contributed to the high attrition rate in tertiary science courses in Papua New Guinea. Test results of undergraduate students (N=118) indicated that their test scores for study motives and strategies were higher than Australian norms but did not correlate with academic achievement.…

Proposes that an undergraduate core curriculum minimizes science and does not provide students with an adequate background for understanding contemporary science and technology. Critiques Harvard's science requirements in that it does not reflect the vertical or intensive nature of learning that is essential in science education. (ML)

Reports on a study of position descriptions in the field of hydrogeology appearing in want ads, published studies describing the working professional, and published descriptions of hydrogeology programs. Results indicate an increase in positions of ten times that of five years ago. Suggests basic training requirements for beginning…

Provides instructions on conducting four demonstrations for the chemistry classroom. Outlines procedures for demonstrations dealing with coupled oscillations, the evaporation of liquids, thioxanthone sulfone radical anion, and the control of variables and conservation of matter. (TW)

Discusses the benefits of thermochromic transformations for studying thermodynamic properties. Describes an experiment that uses a commercially available dye, attains equilibrium rapidly, employs a simple, single-beam spectrophotometer, and is suitable for both physical chemistry and introductory chemistry laboratories. (TW)

Describes how a Polaroid camera can be modified for spectroscopic experiments. Reviews experimental procedures and discusses results that students can obtain within one normal laboratory period. Suggests additional experiments for investigating emission from other sources. (ML)

Reports on a study into the relationship between a student's ability to solve problems in chemistry and his/her understanding of molecular concepts. Argues that teaching students to solve problems about chemistry is not equivalent to teaching about the nature of matter. (TW)

Reviews the Congressional practice of specifying in spending bills campuses that are to receive funds for specific projects. Discusses how some academic institutions use lobbying to help achieve needed funding. Lists some of the projects that received earmarked funds since 1986. Presents several opinions on the subject. (CW)

Discusses the decrease in the supply of scientists and engineers, mediocrity of science achievement, and decline of the National Science Foundation expenditures for education. Stresses the need to develop a national will to enhance the quality of science education. (YP)

Describes an exercise that students can use to evaluate their intake of specific nutrients in relation to the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Discusses the practicality and concepts involved in the RDA and procedures for dietary analysis. Provides a chart of the RDA and student worksheets for dietary self analysis. (CW)

Suggests chemistry should be better taught to undergraduates with more emphasis on lifelong learning experience. Emphasizes the collaboration needed between chemistry disciplines. Lists suggestions for curriculum change in chemistry. (ML)

Surveys the types of computers being used in high school and university chemistry courses. Identifies types of hardware found on Apple and MS-DOS computers. Makes recommendations for the upgrading of current equipment. (ML)

Described are the energetics involved in the formation of molecular hydrogen using concepts that should be familiar to students beginning the study of molecular orbital theory. Emphasized are experimental data on ionization energies. Included are two-electron atomic and molecular systems. (CW)