Discusses some of the difficulties in the measurement of pressure, including the use of open-ended and closed-ended manometers. Suggests the use of an analogy of a child's seesaw in teaching about manometers. Includes diagrams showing how various positions and weights on a seesaw compare with different pressure measurements. (TW)

Provides a review of important science news stories as reported in the issues of "Science News." The stories are summarized under 13 headings and include references to the volume and page number in which the subject appeared. (ML)

Presents two different approaches to teaching stoichiometry. One uses a question and answer technique and the familiar concepts of "pounds" and "degrees" to describe the concept. The second example introduces stoichiometric relationships used in the well-known camper's snack known as S'mores. (TW)

Describes a laboratory course taught at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (United Kingdom) which focuses on the preparation, properties, and applications of end-use products of the chemical industry. Outlines laboratory experiments on dyes, fibers, herbicides, performance testing, antioxidants, and surface active…

Discusses the goals of learning cycle laboratories in helping students acquire knowledge about a specific topic and to do so moving in a non-threatening way from the concrete operational level to the formal operational level. Describes an experiment designed for such laboratories dealing with the topic of oxidation-reduction. (TW)

Describes a British secondary school's use of a spectrometer to identify minerals. Discusses the origins of mineral spectra, the preparation of the specimen, the actual spectroscopic scanning, and the interpretation of the spectra. (TW)

Describes an approach to problem solving based on real-world problems. Discusses problem analysis and definitions, preparation of briefing documents, solution finding techniques (brainstorming and synectics), solution evaluation and judgment, and implementation. (JM)

Advocates the use of discovery or guided inquiry experiments for developing critical thinking in problem solving. Provides a stepwise method for creating inquiry experiments and provides an example by comparing the two methods for a freezing point experiment. (JM)

Reviews the present state of science curricula in light of the current crisis in science education, examining the problem of low science enrollment/achievement and its effect on society. Analyzes conflicting demands of preparing students for college and educating the large bulk of students who do not plan science-related careers. (JM)

Describes design and implementation of an investigative/inquiry-based chemistry curriculum by the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST). Also describes inservice activities to retrain teachers to use the curriculum, equipment, and chemicals. Background information on educational sociology of Thailand is included.…

Discusses findings and recommendations of an American Chemical Society (ACS) task force study on the status of chemical education in the United States. Recommendations relate to national concerns; all educational levels; elementary, secondary, university, college, and two-year college chemistry and science; chemistry careers; and industry and…

Discusses aims of and proposed programs at the Institute for Chemical Education. Aims include developing creative ideas to convey chemical knowledge, improving interdisciplinary links, and addressing critical issues in chemical education. One program proposed is designed to help science teachers at all levels develop K-12 chemistry supplements.…

Discusses solubility interactions of various oils placed on the surface of water and other liquids, explained using the basic forces of gravity, electrical attraction, and quantum mechanics (non-mathematical). Hydrogen and ionic bonding between oleic acid/water is analyzed. An experiment to determine physical properties of the oleic acid molecule…

Chemistry occupies only a small portion of the Papua New Guinea science curriculum in grades seven to ten. Science itself occupies only a small proportion of the total curriculum. Nevertheless the existing syllabus, and previous and planned future revisions of it, give considerable prominence to environmental, health and safety issues. There is a…

While most would probably agree that the ultimate success of an educational system should be graduates who are able to evaluate, synthesize, analyze and apply what they have learned, routinely assessing such understanding in students has proven difficult, for a variety of reasons, using most traditional methods. Recent developments in cognitive…