Described is an introductory experiment that allows students to directly observe and measure the linear energy transfer in matter. Illustrated are the experimental setup including the radioactive source, electronic equipment, and the detector; measurement and calculations; and the results. (CW)

Reviewed are four videotapes for use in biology classrooms. Included are "The Biochemical Basis of Biology. Part 2--DNA and Protein Synthesis,""The Rocky Shores,""A Visit to the Rocky Shores," and "Our Immune System." Described are the content, cost, and availability of each video. (CW)

Reviews the basis for the technique and its experimental requirements. Describes a few examples of the analytical problems to which surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been and can be applied. Provides a perspective on the current limitations and frontiers in developing SERS as an analytical technique. (MVL)

Presents the mechanistic ideas underlying reactions between nucleophiles and carbonyl compounds as well as some popular misconceptions. Relates reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives to those of aldehydes and ketones. Discusses leaving group ability and the ability of carbonyl oxygen to accept a negative charge. (Author/MVL)

Notes the careful observation of chemical reactivity phenomena has been and should be an important part of the general chemistry laboratory curriculum. Stresses reduction of experimental scale will help to ensure, in times of rampant chemophobia, that it remains so. Provides several examples of the methodology. (MVL)

Presents a halogen substitution of an alkane using a compartmentalized Petri dish or Conway dish on an overhead projector. Provides methodology and several modifications for different reactions. Uses hexane, methyl orange, bromine, and silver nitrate. (MVL)

Explains a program specifically designed to help academically underprepared students who are seeking careers in health professions. Describes course content, traditional and nontraditional teaching methods used, and evaluation procedures. States that student performance significantly improved. (RT)

Describes the contents of a book entitled The Care and Feeding of Ideas: A Guide to Encouraging Creativity which considers the thinking process, why skills need to be developed, and how students use or should use these thinking skills. (RT)

Discusses the importance of implementing new approaches in science teaching which will elevate citizen concerns to science-related issues confronting society. Outlines a biology application course designed to counteract current problems in this area. (RT)

Illustrates the basis for misleading statements about the relationship between pH and acid content in acid rain. Explains why pH cannot be used as a measure of acidity for rain or any other solution. Suggests that teachers present acidity and pH as two separate and distinct concepts. (RT)

Describes the work behind one successful popular science program which does not trivialize the image of science. Discusses areas including science and broadcasting, one of the longest running science and technology programs on television, the mass media and health, and media fellowships for scientists. (RT)

Reports on the exchange of chemistry professors between the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Oakwood College in Alabama. Explores the Madison Plan which has a long term goal of working toward educational excellence by taking advantage of the strengths inherent in ethnic diversity. (MVL)

Describes a program which allows students to identify and characterize several kinetic inhibitory mechanisms. Uses the generic model of reversible inhibition of a monosubstrate enzyme but can be easily modified to run other models such as bisubstrate enzymes. Uses MS-DOS BASIC. (MVL)

Described is a unit of study on nuclear weapons from a course on nuclear technology. Provided are the elements of first strike attack designed for invoking students' interest and an explanation of each. (YP)

Examines the thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate. Encourages students to predict the end products and to use the stoichiometric results to determine if their predictions are correct. (MVL)