Uses computers to aid in teaching one property of the chaos theory: sensitivity to initial conditions. Provides demonstrations that illustrate that science and physics do not and cannot have all the answers to questions asked regarding the causes of natural phenomena. (ZWH)

Presents an activity that uses the study of earthquakes to provide a rich educational experience to reinforce and expand students' knowledge of the structure of the Earth, provide an application of physics concepts such as force and energy, and present these topics integrated with a unit on mathematics. (JRH)

Argues that, by not considering examples drawn from students' everyday lives, a teacher is detracting from science itself. A challenge is made to Conceptual Change Learning Model advocates and users to embrace the idea of conceptual fitting based upon context as well as conceptual change when considering how students learn. (ZWH)

Describes the use of a "Rube Goldberg machine contest" to help students learn physics. (PR)

Describes a course on alternative conceptions in physics that has been used with preservice students as well as with inservice teachers in Indonesia. Most preservice students progress in mastery of high school level concepts, however, the length of the effects are not known. (LZ)

Defines a few major reasons for the frequent failure of laboratory instructional methods and outlines some modes of thinking that seem to promise greater effectiveness and firmer justification for maintaining the laboratory as an essential component of physics teaching. (MVL)

Describes a technique of relating distances star light has traveled to events in modern history. The mathematical background for the technique is given along with five star tables which include diagrams, star names, corresponding events and dates, and light year distances. (MVL)

Describes the use of multimedia applications using Apple's QuickTime(TM) protocol to easily generate video clips or segments with sound and color and incorporate these into a computer-based document that can be used as lecture materials, a course textbook, or a lab manual. (LZ)

Investigates how Swedish pupils address chemistry, physics, and technology in compulsory school. Findings show girls seek "connected knowledge," reject technology, and are more theoretical in their approach to science. Boys are more practical in their approach to science and tend to create disorder. Girls interested in science generally…

Describes the use of the black-box technique to explore electrical circuit design and circuit elements. (JRH)

Investigated a microcomputer-based system for the diagnosis and remediation of three Aristotelian alternative conceptions of force and motion held by eighth-grade physical science students. Reports that computer simulations exemplifying canonical conceptions facilitate alteration of students' naive conceptions to a significant degree. Suggests…

Describes a computer-based prelaboratory lecture to replace traditional lecture. Discusses how the CUPLE method was developed, the course structure, and a typical course day. (MVL)

Provides simple techniques for demonstrating and recording the effect of the changing shapes of moving objects when viewed through a moving slot. Includes a puzzle. A computer shareware program (IBM compatible) that simulates the distortions is available from the author. (MVL)

Examines whether and to what extent general education STS and physics courses helped college students build more informed, realistic views about the interactions among science, technology, and society. General education STS courses were found to be of value while the physics course had almost no impact on students' views. (LZ)

Describes a method to create holograms for use in different interferometry techniques. Students utilize these techniques in experiments to study the structural integrity of a clarinet reed and the effects of temperature on objects. (MDH)