Reports on a study that examined the performance and science attitudes of two groups of students in a college chemistry course. One group had enrolled in high school chemistry; the other group had not. There was no difference between groups as to attitude toward chemistry or academic performance. (RT)

Outlines the genetic elements found in the bacterial cell which play a role in recombining DNA sequences. Provides a core structure to which the mechanisms occurring in and between bacterial cells can be related. Discusses the practicalities of recombinant DNA techniques. (Author/CW)

This article presents some of the optics and mathematics related to what causes a rainbow, why it is brighter inside than out, and why more than one rainbow may appear. (PK)

Recounts the formation of the National Marine Education Association (NMEA) in 1976. Provides summaries of conferences dealing with marine education since 1960 along with a year-by-year reporting on NMEA conferences and activities from 1976-1988. (TW)

Contains three articles designed to help practitioners with practical assessment for the GCSE. Articles include: "GCSE Biology Practical Assessment--Can the End Justify the Means?"; "Investigating the Effect of Catalase: GCSE Assessment Practical"; and "An Experimental Design for GCSE Physics." (CW)

Deals with a fungus that plays an important role in the forests of Asia as a decomposer of recently dead trees and in agriculture as an important edible mushroom. Describes how to culture these mushrooms including materials, conditions, and troubleshooting. Gives ideas for classroom activities. (CW)

Describes the Oxford Certificate of Educational Achievement (OCEA) and the principles on which it is based. Discusses ways in which biology teachers can develop their confidence and proficiency in making assessments of process-based work. Stresses the advantages that a scheme such as OCEA can bring to a biology department. (Author/CW)

Reviews the performance of U.S. students in science and mathematics achievement as compared to 17 other countries, as reported in two surveys released by the National Science Foundation. Discusses the results of a research study done by Iris Weiss. Points out deficiencies and trends in American science education. (CW)

Reports on some of the discoveries over the last quarter century regarding quasars including spectra and energy sources, formation and evolution, and cosmological probes. Describes some of the fundamental mysteries that remain. (CW)

Describes the use of spectroscopy and the redshift to measure how far an object is by measuring how fast it is receding from earth. Lists the most distant quasars yet found. Tables include "Redshift vs. Distance" and "Distances to Celestial Objects for Various Cosmologies." (CW)

Discusses the chemistry component of a five-week summer program for talented high school juniors and seniors at the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences. Describes the chemistry core, lab component, team projects, and program results. (CW)

Details three demonstrations for use in chemistry classrooms. Includes: "A Demonstration of Corrosion by Differential Aeration"; "A Simple Demonstration of the Activation Energy Concept"; and "A Boiling Demonstration at Room Temperature." Each description includes equipment, materials, and methods. (CW)

Defines attitude and distinguishes it from related concepts. Indicates some weaknesses inherent in attitude research and offers suggestions as to research that is needed. Reviews attitude research and identifies three measures for studying attitudes. States that attitudes are enduring, learned and related to behavior. (CW)

Contains a glossary designed to provide an accurate and consistent teaching terminology for genetics. Includes the adaptation of the glossary from a British genetics textbook, revising it for high school and undergraduate college use. (TW)

This study compared sex differences among Asian and Caucasian high school students enrolled in advanced science and math classes. Psychological and attitudinal differences between the sexes were prominent among Caucasians but nonexistent for Asians. The Caucasian females avoided technical careers due to the manner in which they were socialized.…