Describes an instructional strategy to develop creative thinking. Students learn what information scientists had prior to formulation of an idea and attempt to devise their own solutions to the problem. However, no experimentally verified solution to the problem is known. Advantages to this approach are discussed. (Author/JN)

Provides background information on and a brief description of the content and aims of the AO syllabus in electronics. The syllabus is divided into six sections: (1) measurement/instruments; (2) materials, devices, and transducers; (3) digital electronics; (4) analog electronics; (5) electronic systems; and (6) electronics impact on…

The nature of liquid crystals and several important liquid crystal devices are described. Ideas for practical experiments to illustrate the properties of liquid crystals and their operation in devices are also described. (Author/JN)

Background information on the morphology and physiology of planarians and uses of the organism in schools is provided. Also provided is a transparency master demonstrating a planarian with an everted proboscis, two-headed/two-tailed planarians, and a planarian demonstrating the digestive tract. (JN)

Provides an answer to the question of why it is easy to miss when shooting uphill or downhill. Experimental results indicate that when shooting uphill or downhill, sight should not be adjusted to actual distance but to distance multiplied by the cosine of the inclination angle. (JN)

Discusses legislation related to SI (International Systems of Units) in the United States. Indicates that although SI metric units have been officially recognized by law in the United States, U.S. Customary Units have never received a statutory basis. (JN)

Creationists claim that human footprints coexist with those of dinosaurs in Cretaceous limestone exposed in the Paluxy riverbed near Glen Rose, Texas. Analysis of photos shows that the features in question are not human footprints and that creationist documentation/analysis of the prints is riddled with omissions, misrepresentations,…

Committee on Computers in Chemical Education is conducting workshops to illustrate what can be done with currently available software and provide opportunities to review representative samples of publishers' materials. Guidelines for those requesting workshops, responsibilities of host school, costs, and workshop format are provided. (JN)

"Take Two People" is a kit of model genes which can be made up in packs to represent people or gametes. The kit is simple to make and highly adaptable. It has been useful and effective in teaching genetics to students of low ability and little motivation. (Author/JN)

Ernest J. Holmes, one of the first teachers of "biology" in secondary schools and co-author of a seminal biology textbook, writes a personal account of teaching at a time when "biology" as a school subject was just beginning to become accepted. (Author/JN)

Discusses some of the factors underlying early calls for history of science in the science curriculum of English secondary schools. These factors focus on attacks on science, disquiet among science teachers, and parallelism between intellectual and historical development. Also discusses roles seen for historial materials advocated up to World War…

A different approach is used to develop taxonomy concepts. A traditional outline of each phylum under consideration is given to students, together with a series of questions. Students must then determine relationships within the outline by answering the questions. (Author/JN)

Proposes a new origin for comets in the solar system, namely, that comets originated in the breakup of a body orbiting the sun in or near the present location of the asteroid belt in the relatively recent past. Predictions related to the theory are discussed. (Author/JN)

Suggests instructional strategies and student activities related to the study of insects during the winter. Includes possible collecting sites and classroom activities once the insects have been collected. (JN)

Provides seven lists of supplies and equipment for teaching science methodology to preservice teachers. Although by no means complete, the list provides materials necessary for basic demonstrations and activities appropriate for engaging K-8 children in science. (Author/JN)