This Annual Report details the activities of the American Institute of Physics in 1975. The Institute placed major emphasis on the expansion of the institute's public-relations and manpower roles. Developments affecting journals and the activities of the Fiscal Branch and Marketing Division are also discussed. (BT)

Described are the contributions of Benjamin Franklin to eighteenth-century science, particularly in the area of early investigations into electrical phenomenon. (SL)

Described is a physics experiment which investigates the reactions occurring when a hot dog is fried or broiled. (SL)

A physics professor discusses how his personal view of science has changed over 20 years; includes views on the esthetic and practical aspects of science and the way science influences one's world view. (MLH)

Describes the construction and application of a device small enough to be worn on a worker's clothing that can monitor exposure to mercury. (MLH)

Reviews five instructional films on: P-N junctions; crystal diodes; nuclear fusion research; Schlieren photography; and the energy crisis; including discussions of solar, nuclear, and fossil fuel energy. Also lists numerous other available films. (MLH)

Describes the step by step construction of a tissue paper hot air balloon. (GS)

Shocked by static? Mixed up about magnets? Curious about currents? Teachers can get past memorizing all those electricity-related formulas, rules, and procedures so they can understand the subject at a level deep enough to teach it with confidence and comfort. Here to help is "Electricity and Magnetism," the fifth title in the award-winning NSTA…

This study explores how and when physics became the last course in U.S. high school science and what impact this had on high school physics offerings and student enrollment. Four main areas of historical data were identified: (1) national and state education statistics; (2) reports from major organizations on reform and policy; (3) reports from…

The Physics Education Research Group at the University of Minnesota has developed an interview tool to investigate physics faculty views about the learning and teaching of problem solving. In the part of the interview dealing with grading, faculty members were asked to evaluate a set of five student solutions and explain their reasons for the…

This paper describes the design and initial data analysis of an ongoing study to determine the important elements, as perceived by faculty, of the learning and teaching of problem solving in the context of an introductory calculus-based physics course. To elicit instructors' beliefs that inform their instructional choices, an interview around…

This book presents detailed teaching ideas on integrating inventing into grades 4-6 science classrooms. The contents of the book is divided into three sections. Part 1 provides theoretical and pedagogical background information to teachers on the structure of inventing and the structure of experience. Part 2 presents six detailed workshops: (1)…

Since 1983, the Maryland University Project in Physics and Educational Technology (M.U.P.P.E.T.) has been investigating the implication of including student programming in an introductory physics course for physics majors. Many significant changes can result. One can rearrange some content to be more physically appropriate, include more realistic…

Each year the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) produces new educational products that are used by NASA educational staff at NASA-sponsored workshops and events. Part of the series, "The Great Minds of Microgravity", Galileo, Newton, and Einstein, are the subjects of this brief. The materials include a brief…

This report discusses trends in the physics academic workforce and the implications of these trends for the future academic job market. Data are from a survey of physics departments that was completed by 722 departments, a response rate of 94%. The number of physics faculty increased almost 5% since 2000, and much of this growth resulted from…