Discusses features of the "Basic Science" course in Japan; reasons why few students selected basic science; the development of Science I and Science II (results of the curriculum revision); and the relationship between Basic Science, Science I, and Science II. Science I and II objectives are provided in the appendices. (JN)

Uses the subject of enzymes to illustrate the topical approach to teaching biochemistry at the secondary level. Includes the procedures for three experiments dealing with various aspects of enzymes. (JN)

Describes instructional uses of computer programs found in David Heiserman's book "Projects in Machine Intelligence for Your Home Computer." The programs feature "creatures" of various colors that move around within a rectangular white border. (JN)

Offers suggestions for using archaelogical techniques to study human skeletons in the classroom. They include determining the skeleton's sex, race, age at death, and stature. (JN)

Describes how to make an electroscope from aluminum soft drink or beer cans. Also describes several electrostatic experiments using the easily constructed apparatus. (JN)

Discusses the role of dissection in science courses, examining essential lessons students can learn (such as developing an abiding respect for all forms of life, including the animal being dissected). Also presents a list of tips related to classroom dissection and comments on formaldehyde and formalin substitutes. (JN)

Presents a technique for obtaining a rough measure of the brightness among different stars. Materials needed include a standard 35-mm camera, a plastic ruler, and a photo enlarger. Although a telescope can be used, it is not essential. (JN)

Offers guidelines for school visits to various industries. In addition, points out that industry would like students to know what it is like to work in a factory and that industrial applications should be incorporated into physics courses. (JN)

Working parties established by the Secondary Examinations Council are devising grade-related criteria for use with the new General Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (GCSE). The aim is to produce in each subject a set of performance criteria covering GCSE grades A-G. The work of the physics group is discussed. (JN)

Presents three separate but related discussions on the rationale for including electronics into school physics programs. Pressures for curriculum change, strategies for teaching electronics, objectives of electronics, and other areas are addressed. (JN)

This annotated bibliography consists of 25 items on wide variety of topics related to the instructional uses of computers in secondary and college level science. Several research studies are also included. (JN)

Children in years three, four, and five of physics study were tested to determine their intuitive preconceptions about forces and equilibrium in the static case, as well as any changes in their conceptual framework that might have taken place as a result of maturity and instruction. (JN)

Interviews with 84 students (12- to 16-year-olds) suggest they have a poor understanding of biological education. Students' responses, question context influences, age trends, and implications for biology teachers are discussed. Among conclusions are: (1) Most students use teleological and anthropomorphic explanations; and (2) evolution should be…

Describes experiments in which a ball bearing is used as a tool for the study of light and as a kind of photographic lens. Also shows how results from these experiments contribute to an understanding of the nature of light. (JN)

Discusses instructional strategies that help students make and differentiate between observations and inferences, including the use of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation processes. Suggests that early activities focus on analytical procedures in such a way that they can be explained in terms of facts and principles that students will readily…