Describes an easily-implemented experiment in which a moderately complex relation between dependent and independent variables is involved. (Author/GS)

Describes an experiment suited for use in an advanced laboratory course in particle physics. The magnetic moment of cosmic ray muons which have some polarization is determined with an error of about five percent. (Author/GS)

The Amateur Radio Satellite Communications project had, as its goal, the assembly of an amateur radio satellite station in a high school physics classroom. Specific objectives were to provide: (1) a special source of interest as a motivator for attracting students and building public relations; (2) a center of interest as a motivator for the study…

A study examined in detail the initial encoding of worked-out examples of mechanics problems by "good" and "poor" students, and their subsequent reliance on examples during problem solving. The subjects, three males and five females, were selected from responses to a university campus advertisement. Six of them were working…

The idea that cognitive science can provide useful guidance to the teaching of physics has been met by some with skepticism. One argument is that the current understanding of cognition is too crude to be helpful; another, that any scientific approach to education stifles the art of teaching. Some feel that art and science need not be incompatible.…

This description of the use of "probeware," i.e., hardware which connects to a microcomputer and works with the software to measure factors such as temperature, light, or motion in science laboratory experiments, uses as an example an experiment which would involve the measurement of pendulum motion using the "Precision Timer…

The spontaneous use of analogies in problem-solving occurs when a subject first spontaneously shifts his attention to a situation (B) which differs in some significant way from an original problem situation (A), and then tries to apply findings from B to A. This paper describes research on the process with 10 scientifically trained subjects…

This study compared male and female enrollment and achievement in high school physics courses. The expectations were that enrollment of females would be higher than the 35 percent reported in a 1969 study and that the achievement of the sexes would be equal. The findings indicated that the percentages of females were very similar to those in the…

This report, the second of a three-part study of Soviet space programs, examines their manned space programs and reviews their quest for a permanently manned presence in space. Also included is information concerning the physiological and psychological findings related to the extended duration of Soviet manned flights and an executive summary.…

Describes activities involving the use of playground equipment (such as swings and seesaws) as a means of teaching elementary school children some basic principles of physics. (JR)

This PSI unit may be used as a self-study guide or as part of a PSI or regular astronomy course to provide a simplified procedure for the casting of natal horoscopes. (Author/DT)

Considers the question: Can fundamental modern concepts of special relativity and quantum mechanics be taught to students with minimal preparation in science and mathematics in anything other than oversimplified terms? (PEB)

Continues the work done by Mackay (1971) and Gardner (1973) in which attitudes of students enrolled in PSSC physics were assessed. (PEB)