This book applies "new science"--the discoveries and hypotheses in biology, chemistry, and physics that challenge fundamental world views--to organizational change. The focus is on new ways about thinking about organizations. The introduction and chapter 1 introduce three branches of science and their contributions to understanding--quantum…

Physics has been reported to be the least popular of the science subjects among high school students in Nigeria. In fact the low enrollment and poor grades even for majority students that enroll has been a great concern to most science teachers and curriculum planners. This study examined students' attitudes on the teaching and learning of…

This document reports on a 1995 survey of students graduating with a bachelor's degree in physics or astronomy as part of an ongoing series of surveys that have been conducted by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) since the 1960s. The data obtained on the 1995 class build upon established trends in students' immediate postbaccalaureate plans…

A method is proposed to assess the importance of differential item functioning (DIF) by estimating the largest possible fraction of the population in which DIF does not occur, or equivalently, the smallest possible portion of the population in which DIF may occur. The approach is based on latent class (C. C. Clogg, 1981) or mixture concepts, and…

Chemical demonstrations can and do enhance an otherwise potentially dull subjects--the properties of hazardous materials. This book contains the recipes for presenting several chemical demonstrations. Demonstrations are designed to be relatively easy to perform and present minimal hazards if done properly. The book contains an introduction, safety…

In 1991, a survey questionnaire concerning undergraduate education in physics was sent to a nationally representative sample of 597 four-year colleges and universities. Of these, 475 had an undergraduate physics department or a department with a physics program, and met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Responses were received from 450 of…

This paper examines the nature of physics students' knowledge, the means to identify alternative conceptions, and possible methods to overcome misconceptions. This examination is a survey of the techniques and ideas of a large number of researchers who are seeking their own solutions to this problem. An examination of the nature of knowledge…

This study investigated motivational factors that are related to engaging in conceptual change learning. While previous studies have recognized the resistance of students' scientific conceptions to change, few have investigated the role that non-cognitive factors might play when students are exposed to conceptual change instruction. In this study,…

The concept of diffusion may seem easy enough for many teachers to understand, but when and what do students really understand about diffusion and osmosis? In order to answer these two questions, 116 students (46.6% in the tenth grade, 30.2% in the eleventh grade, and 23.2% in the twelfth grade) enrolled in biology classes were administered tests…

The results of a Wellington (New Zealand) project to develop science instruction materials for teachers with non-native learners of English are presented. The first section describes the project, which involved the collaboration of science teachers and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) specialists, offers general guidelines for language learning…

Details the assembly and operation of two interactive computer-student dialogs developed for use primarily with elementary and secondary teachers. The dialogs use graphic facilities for teaching about the sky as seen from the earth and about the phases of the moon. (Author/CP)

Cites shortcomings of typical physics homework problems and encourages the assignment of open-ended problems to extend and combine patterns of reasoning. Provides examples of thought-provoking problems. (CP)

Examines the current low rate of enrollment in physics courses and cites some causes for this phenomenon. Questions the goals of physics education as these relate to the needs of society, and proposes changes. (CP)

Describes a cut-out model that demonstrates the movement of electrons and ions for a complete cycle. (GS)

Describes a demonstration of the different densities of water and tetrachloromethane and of phosphoric acid, organic solvents, and water. (GS)