Different ways in which the atmospheres of different planets have originated and evolved are discussed. Includes tables on the atmospheric composition of: (1) Earth; (2) Mars; (3) Venus; (4)Titan (Saturn's Satellite); and (5) the outer planets. (SK)

Investigated whether scores on a science concept recognition test were related to IQ estimates of Tasmanian high school students. (CS)

This article concerns redesigning an existing engineering orientation course for high school students. The main objective was to increase knowledge of technology and the differences between science and engineering. The students' performance and attendance records in the course were excellent and results indicated that it was highly beneficial.…

Outlined and described is Whittaker's five-kingdom system of classifying all living organisms. Advantages of this classification scheme are discussed. (CS)

Describes various aspects of high school physics in modern China, including classroom instruction, interdistrict competitions, extracurricular studies, content of the curriculum, and test procedures. (CS)

A high school chemistry teacher discusses her experiences and techniques in this article. (BB)

Discusses reasons why chemistry should be taught in the secondary schools. (MLH)

Recommends use by teachers of new terminology regarding plant water relations. Includes definitions and Greek symbols for the following terms: water potential, water potential of cell, osmotic potential, matric potential, and pressure potential. (CS)

Introduces knowledge of planetary chemistry for possible use in teaching. Discusses the chemical composition of the planets; the atmosphere and clouds of Venus, Jupiter and its moons, and Titan. Includes diagrams of the greenhouse effects in the solar system, elemental abundances, and the chemical composition of Jupiter. (RT)

Presents examples of the use of history in the teaching of biology. An appendix contains 47 resources. (MKR)

Identifies 6 types of misleading labels in the drawings of 12 biology textbooks. (Author/MKR)

Studies of mitochondrial DNA imply that modern humans arose in Africa 150,000 years ago and spread throughout the world, replacing all prior human groups. But many paleontologists see continuity in human fossils on each continent and over a much longer time. Modeling may help test these alternatives. (Author/MKR)

Demonstrates how functional language analyses differentiate explanation types and specify language features relevant to the effectiveness of texts in apprenticing students to the language forms of scientific English. Illustrates key differences between different types of explanations, then sample text analyses show how language features index…

Presents an activity that uses chenille stems, colored yarn, plastic straws, and ingenuity to make a low-cost manipulative kit for modeling mitosis and meiosis. (ASK)