Presented is a descriptive account of Alessandro Volta's first notable success in 1775, the invention of a unique method of generating electricity. Luigi Galvani's announcement of his theory of "animal electricity" in 1972 is integrated into this interpretation of Volta's discoveries with electricity. Five experiments are described: (1)…

An analysis of classroom discourse is reported in which the use of questions by science teachers is assessed in terms of arguments to establish knowledge claims. Questions are analyzed not for their form or frequency but for their function in the development of arguments which establish claims rationally. Seen in the context of rational argument,…

This document provides references to a variety of published biographical information on men and women of science. Both historical and contemporary scientists are covered, with emphasis on American scientists. Sources were selected on the basis of general availability through major public and institutional library systems. Sections include: (1)…

This publication is a complete revision of an earlier booklet brought on by the dramatic changes in the energy outlook of the United States that occurred in 1973 and 1974. The purpose of this document is to inform the public on the overall U.S. energy situation, in particular electricity generated from nuclear reactors and other sources. The…

This paper reports on research carried out in Sweden on concept formation as related to science education. Particular emphasis is given to the aquisition of the concepts of proportionality and density by tenth-grade students. Comparisons were made of the student's everyday thoughts about density and their ability to understand the Cartesian Diver…

This investigation looks at the difficulties tenth-grade students have with the concept of proportionality and the problems this causes in tenth-grade physics. Students were asked to solve various problems in the areas of volume measurement and weight, all relating to proportionality, and their approaches to the tasks were recorded. As a result,…

The directory first presents a geographic listing of graduate programs in the U.S. Next is a geographic listing for Canadian programs, followed by an alphabetical listing of graduate programs by degrees granted, a list of research specialties of doctoral programs in physics, astronomy, and related fields, a listing of areas of concentration of…

This paper reports on research designed to examine relationships among analogical reasoning, Piagetian level, and physics achievement. A sample of 37 college students enrolled in a physics course participated in a three-day study and were given tasks designed to measure analogical reasoning ability and Piagetian level. Course achievement was…

This technical specialty course is one of thirty-five courses designed for use by two-year postsecondary institutions in five nuclear technician curriculum areas: (1) radiation protection technician, (2) nuclear instrumentation and control technician, (3) nuclear materials processing technician, (4) nuclear quality-assurance/quality-control…

This technical specialty course is one of thirty-five courses designed for use by two-year postsecondary institutions in five nuclear technician curriculum areas: (1) radiation protection technician, (2) nuclear instrumentation and control technician, (3) nuclear materials processing technician, (4) nuclear quality-assurance/quality-control…

THE MAJOR CONCEPT OF THE UNIT IS THAT SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO PARTICLES IN ORDER TO STUDY THEM. ATOMS ARE COMPOSED OF TWO KINDS OF CHARGED PARTICLES--PROTONS AND ELECTRONS. ANY DIFFERENCE IN THEIR NUMBERS RESULTS IN A CHARGED BODY. IF ENOUGH CHARGED BODIES ARE PRODUCED, THEY WILL AFFECT CHARGE DETECTORS. CONCLUSIONS CAN BE DRAWN FROM THE…

THE SCIENCE PROGRAM AT NOVA HIGH SCHOOL IS STRUCTURED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. THE JUNIOR HIGH PROGRAM EMPHASIZES THE ACCUMLATION, TABULATION, AND ANALYSIS OF DATA. THE SENIOR HIGH PROGRAM MAKES USE OF THESE PROCESSES IN THE INVESTIGATION OF VARIOUS SUBJECT AREAS. THE UNITS COMPOSING THE HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM ARE DESCRIBED. UNIT…

TO DETERMINE THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS FOR INSTRUCTION IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY, 51 TECHNICAL WORKERS, 51 JUNIOR COLLEGE INSTRUCTORS, AND 11 EXPERTS RATED 240 SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES AS TO THEIR VALUE IN A TECHNICIAN'S WORK. THE THREE GROUPS AGREED ON THE RANK ORDER OF 15 TOPICS--(1) CURRENT ELECTRICITY, (2)…

PROBLEMS OF PRESENTING A COLLEGE-LEVEL PHYSICS COURSE IN HIGH SCHOOL ARE CONSIDERED. FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS IT DRAWS UPON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE INCLUDED SUCH COURSES IN THEIR CURRICULUMS. THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE--(1) MORE LABORATORY EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE PROVIDED THAN IS USUAL IN REGULAR COURSES. (2) HEAVY…

THE FLANDERS METHOD OF INTERACTION ANALYSIS WAS EMPLOYED IN AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS TEACHING. THE STUDY OBJECTIVES WERE (1) TO DESCRIBE THE CHARACTERISTICS AND PATTERNS OF TEACHER-STUDENT VERBAL INTERACTION IN HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS, (2) TO DETERMINE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS, AS MEASURED BY SELECTED ASPECTS OF…