Reviews evidence in support of the primacy of the personal relevance orientation in science education. Provides a quick review of four other orientations and their shortcomings for curriculum planning. Orientation reviews focus on: (1) the development of cognitive processes; (2) social adaptation and reconstruction; (3) academic rationalism; and…

Reports on a study, Science for All Americans, by the AAAS. Notes this study is the first of three phases in Project 2061. Recommends science teaching should focus on connections rather than boundaries between traditional academic disciplines and should emphasize ideas and thinking rather than specialized vocabulary and memorized procedures. (MVL)

Describes science activities which were adapted from a teacher's guide entitled "For Spacious Skies" and contains resources for interdisciplinary weather studies. Includes studying properties of air, gravity, cloud movement, humidity, tornadoes, and weather instruments. (RT)

Outlines some strategies used by science teacher educators to train teachers to make laboratory lessons a place for meaningful and useful learning, including content analysis of laboratory manuals, scientific inquiry, flexible organization, concept mapping, Vee heuristics, and inquiry oriented laboratory tests. (YP)

Describes a two-day forensic science course that is offered to eighth grade students enrolled in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Magnet Schools. Provides sample student activity sheets for the course. (Author/RT)

Describes three software packages: (1) "MacMendeleev"--database/graphic display for chemistry, grades 10-12, Macintosh; (2) "Geometry One: Foundations"--geometry tutorial, grades 7-12, IBM; (3) "Mathematics Exploration Toolkit"--algebra and calculus tutorial, grades 8-12, IBM. (MVL)

Presents the results of a chemistry program held at Purdue University from July 31-August 4, 1988. Topics reported include: chemistry's past, present, and future; new directions in chemical education, demonstrations and laboratories; and instructional strategies. Lists the 391 papers given at the conference and the 22 workshops. (MVL)

Gives seven approaches that teachers can use to transform reading into media investigations. Explanations and descriptions include the relationship between organization of textbook and its content, writing reports, and student research. (RT)

Some of the topics that might be included in a nuclear chemistry section are explored. Offers radioactivity, closed shells in nuclei, energy of nuclear processes, nuclear reactions, and fission and fusion as topics of interest. Provided are ideas and examples for each. (MVL)

Lists five module objectives and discusses the overall need for the modules. Indicates each module is preceded by a statement of the problem and objectives are aimed specifically at the anticipation and reduction of potential hazards. Offers examples of modules on fume hoods and on disposal of waste. (MVL)

Examines two instructional strategies, the traditional and learning cycle approaches, and compares them with regard to the variables of sequence, format, and necessity. Concludes that students exposed to the laboratory and discussion type had higher test scores than those in the lecture or reading groups. (Author/RT)

Discusses a visual database of information about chemical elements. Uses a single sided 12-inch, 30-minute, CAV-type videodisk. Contains a picture of almost every element in its stable form at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. Can be used with the video controller from "KC? Discoverer." (MVL)

Discusses the history and commercialization of alkanes. Examines the nomenclature and uses of alkanes. Studies polymerization and several types of polyethylenes: low-density, high-density, low-molecular-weight, cross-linked, linear low-density, and ultrahigh-molecular-weight. Includes a glossary of hydrocarbon terms. (MVL)

Provided is a unit which relates the fulcrum of a lever system and the mean of a distribution of scores. The objective, rationale, two student laboratories, and an evaluation system are outlined. Content background on statistics is offered. (MVL)

Explains a science project conducted by the Boston Museum of Science to provide enrichment activities through an interaction between children and scientists. Provides information on the packets of creative problem-solving experiences, a description of the program, the culminating event, and joining procedures. (RT)