Describes the construction of an apparatus that demonstrates that electrostatic forces can be large and also gives some idea of dependence of electrostatic forces between charged parallel discs on potential differences and separation. (CS)

Summarizes papers presented at the Sixth Biennial Conference on Chemical Education in the area of high school chemistry, particularly dealing with the high school/college interface. A bibliography of 16 presented papers on this topic is attached. (CS)

Moh's scale for determining the hardness of substances is explained. Four classroom exercises are suggested. (MK)

Discusses methods and exercises appropriate for use in a secondary school chemistry classroom to enhance mastery of skills in these three areas: communication, mathematics, and problem solving. (CS)

This article developed from a survey of the five most popular biology texts which promote the theory of invariant homeostasis rather than biological rhythms. The popular fad of "birthdate biorhythms" is discussed in relation to providing education on biological rhythms and its legitimacy to the public. (SA)

This paper hypothesized an explanation for declining achievement scores in science, centering a reduction in time and emphasis devoted to cognitive activities. Analysis of data did not produce definitive results, but indicated a need for further study. (MK)

Reports a survey of secondary school science teachers to determine instructional practices related to the inclusion of achievements of Black scientists in science courses. Data indicate that they are overlooked by science teachers in regions where Blacks are most concentrated. (Author/SA)

Describes a computer program which enables sixth-form (16 to 18 year-olds) British students to investigate the amino acid sequence of any chosen small oligopeptide. (HM)

Explains how sound as a topic matches up to what are considered to be important criteria for a physics course, and discusses specific suggestions for material that might be included in a modern course on sound. (GA)

Statistics are presented on the amount of science being taught in England at the secondary level (14 to 16 age range, in particular). On the whole, trends shown in the 1968-73 period have been continued through 1976. Those are a positive swing towards science, an increase in physics, chemistry, and biology, and a decrease in general science. (BB)

Discusses changes that have taken place during the period 1951-1976 in the physics syllabuses and tests formulated by the Joint Matriculation Board for 0-level and A-level physics in Great Britain. (MLH)

Describes a laboratory and field project in which students compost garbage to trace the transfer of matter and energy through the biosphere. (MLH)

A sample of 108 eight-grade students using Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS) were tested with four Piagetian tasks: two tasks were related to ISCS concepts, two were not. Concludes that no students were formal operational, most were concrete operational, and most performed better on the non-ISCS related tasks. (MLH)

Compares 1,547 aims of science education culled from the literature to the 33 aims of the Australian Science Education Project (ASEP). Places aims into 11 categories, then calculates proportion of total aims fafalling into each category. Rank correlation of literature aims and ASEP aims was 0.90. (MLH)

Discusses the physics involved in a falling elevator and whether an occupant of a falling elevator will be unharmed if he jumps up as the elevator crashes. (MLH)