Uses several replicas of experimental set-ups that were originally used in electrostatic research in teaching electrostatics through history on secondary school level. Makes visible the change of the style of electrostatic experimentation that took place at the end of the 18th century. (Contains 25 references.) (ASK)

Some teachers have difficulty understanding Bernoulli's principle particularly when the principle is applied to the aerodynamic lift. Some teachers favor using Newton's laws instead of Bernoulli's principle to explain the physics behind lift. Some also consider Bernoulli's principle too difficult to explain to students and avoid teaching it…

The topic of electricity offers considerable challenge for the teacher hoping to provide students with an insight into scientific ways of thinking about circuits. The concepts used to make sense of electric circuits are abstract and students are expected to develop conceptual models of the relationship between non-observable qualities (current,…

Prospective science teachers should be taught how to base their planning and instructional decisions on the systematic analysis of evidence of student understanding. We describe three investigations that teach future secondary school science teachers to improve their practice by gathering and analyzing data about teaching and learning. (Contains 1…

Over the last couple of years, the author has produced six series of 15-minute studio-based programmes for Teachers' TV (the government-funded digital channel for UK teachers) entitled "Resource Review", totalling about 100 programmes. Each consists of three panellists evaluating three teaching resources for primary or secondary level…

Understanding mitosis and meiosis is fundamental to understanding the basics of Mendelian inheritance, yet many students find these concepts challenging or confusing. Here we present a visually and physically stimulating activity using minimal supplies to supplement traditional instruction in order to engage the students and facilitate…

We have compiled the K-8 core standards in astronomy for 48 states and the District of Columbia. Astronomy coverage in state curricula varies broadly from state to state, both in quantity and in content. Comparing these core standards between states and with the National Research Council (NRC) astronomy core standards gives interesting information…

We have developed two kinds of optical experiments: color mixture and fluorescence, using mini-torches with light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit three primary colors. Since the tools used in the experiments are simple and inexpensive, students can easily retry and develop the experiments by themselves. As well as giving an introduction to basic…

Teaching science by means of inquiry-based projects has the potential to transform the science lab into a place of debate and discovery, but teachers run the risk of either leaving students to work too independently or forcing them to be too dependent on our guidance. To counter these challenges, the author implemented changes in the way topics…

Dozens of inflatable aliens recently "descended" upon the authors' middle school to kick-off their first school-wide Astronomy night. With an estimated attendance of over 500, their eighth-grade students hosted over a dozen activity-rich sessions designed to entertain and educate students and their families about the wonders of the solar system…

The role played by physical parameters governing the transport of heat in periodical time-varying phenomena within solids is discussed. Starting with a brief look at the conduction heat transport mechanism, the equations governing heat conduction under static, stationary and non-stationary conditions, and the physical parameters involved, are…

A study conducted shows that if digital photography is combined with regular thin-layer chromatography (TLC), it could perform highly improved qualitative analysis as well as make accurate quantitative analysis possible for a much lower cost than commercial equipment. The findings suggest that digitally enhanced TLC (DE-TLC) is low-cost and easy…

In this article we apply a novel analytical framework to explore students' difficulties in understanding molecular genetics--a domain that is particularly challenging to learn. Our analytical framework posits that reasoning in molecular genetics entails mapping across ontologically distinct levels--an information level containing the genetic…

By the end of their high school studies, students should be able to understand macroscopic and sub-microscopic conceptualization of acid-base behavior and the relationship between these conceptual models. The aim of this article is to ascertain whether grade-12 students have sufficient background knowledge to explain the properties of acids,…

Many students view biology and chemistry as two unrelated, separate sciences; how these courses are generally taught in high schools may do little to change that impression. The study of enzymes provide a great opportunity for both biology and chemistry teachers to share with students the interdisciplinary nature of science. This article describes…