This article presents four Idea-Sparkers that were submitted by Jason McKinney, a graduate student at Southern Mississippi University and a 1st-grade teacher at Pisgah Elementary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. First is entitled, "Raceway in the Classroom." This activity can help increase children's fluency and ability to identify numerous…

This research consists of a longitudinal study of 12 female elementary preservice teachers' conceptual understanding over the course of several months. The context in which the participants received instruction was in an inquiry-based physics course, and the targeted science content was the cause of moon phases. Qualitative research methods,…

Communications and mainstream media are entering a new age of on-demand content. As digital video recorders, like TiVo, change how we watch television, podcasts are taking the spoken word in its own on-demand direction. Astronomy podcasts allow listeners to get up-to-date content on a variety of topics ranging from what's in the sky to what's in…

The results of administering the Astronomy Diagnostic Test (ADT) to introductory astronomy students at Henry Ford Community College over three years have shown gains comparable with national averages. Results have also accurately corresponded to course goals, showing greater gains in topics covered in more detail, and lower gains in topics covered…

This article presents several news stories about computers and technology. (1) Applied Science Associates of Narragansett, Rhode Island is providing computer modeling technology to help locate the remains to the USS Bonhomme Richard, which sank in 1779 after claiming a Revolutionary War victory. (2) Whyville, the leading edu-tainment virtual world…

American science teachers in elementary and middle school face a dilemma as they prepare students for high school physics and advanced placement classes. The dilemma lies in ensuring that these students are equipped with the high-level science content they need to thrive in such classes. Aside from life sciences and chemistry sciences, how are our…

In his "The Making of the Atomic Bomb," Richard Rhodes remarks of the July 16, 1945, Trinity atomic bomb test in New Mexico that "had astronomers been watching they could have seen it reflected from the moon, literal moonshine," an allusion to Ernest Rutherford's famous dismissal of the prospect of atomic energy. Investigating…

For a long time, the medieval university maintained relative consistency throughout Europe in teaching topics and methods. But between 1550 and 1650 this came to an end. The evolution concerned the content of the courses and, to a lesser extent, the way the field was taught. The impact of these changes varied greatly from place to place, and new…

These materials have been designed for use with the upper elementary through high school levels especially, but not exclusively, with the Lunar Sample Disk. This book contains: information on the Lunar Sample Disk, a curriculum content matrix, a teacher's guide, Moon ABCs fact sheet, rock ABCs fact sheet, Progress in Lunar Science chart, 17…

Reports on the work of the scientist Laplace in the field of cosmogony. Provides insight to thinking that led to five forms of a theory which ignored known astronomical facts. (CP)

Using a box with a pinhole in one end, the diameter of the sun can be calculated with knowledge of the length of time required for the image of the sun to sweep out a measured arc. (CP)

Designed to provide easily accessible, comparative information on graduate programs and research in physics and in fields based upon the principles of physics, this directory contains descriptions of programs offered at institutions of higher learning in North America. The entries are organized geographically for institutions in the United States,…

The Lunar Data Information Center is a reference and lending collection for researchers, educators, and students of lunar science, worldwide. Such methods as a classification scheme for mission-oriented documentation, sample photo browse files, lunar feature index, and color coding have resulted in a user-oriented collection. Search capability is…