Research shows that mathematically gifted students learn differently from their same age group peers. They require curriculum to be differentiated to meet their specific learning styles (Johnson, 2000). Studies have shown that formal instruction in elementary school classrooms often lacks challenge for the gifted learner since courses in regular…

The author analyzes some of the conceptual problems which have prevented a direct test of the discovery learning hypothesis, provides an operational definition of discovery learning, and proposes an improved experimental paradigm. Appended are 38 references. (AA)

Suggests that the socialization of children works against their creativity. Argues that increasing children's exploratory opportunities results in raising the likelihood of new discoveries. Concludes that the establishment of a structure for fostering creativity is a key factor in promoting child development. (SG)

Describes a grandmother's experience in working on a rainbow experiment with her granddaughter. Gives suggestions on how teachers can help students in discovering science and share experiences with them. Introduces two rainbow experiments and gives details on how to carry out these experiments. (MOK)

The use of popular culture to bring about an advanced learning in the students as they try to find appropriate literary allusions and further their own learning in the process is discussed.

Students are introduced to indirect proof by a method of discovery. Initially, they are confronted with an intractable puzzle that they must either solve or expose as a hoax. Guided by timely clues, they are unwittingly led to discredit the puzzle by applying the strategy of indirect proof.

Every schoolyard presents a wealth of opportunities for science exploration. To capitalize on this resource, the authors developed an activity in which students assessed whether their schoolyard could provide a viable habitat for treefrogs. This inquiry-based module was composed of three lessons: A Hoppin' Treefrog Adventure, Field Research Means…

In this article, the author presents five problems that are representative of some of the "movie problems" that he has used on tests in various courses, including reactor design, heat transfer, mass transfer, engineering economics, and fluid mechanics. These problems tend to be open-ended. They can be challenging and can often be worked a variety…

From children's viewpoints, what they experience in the world is what the world is like--for everyone. "What do others experience with their senses when they are in the same situation?" is a question that young children can explore by collecting data as they use a "feely box," or take a "sensory walk." There are many ways to focus the children's…

Measuring the mass of many pennies has been used as an easy way to generate data for exercises with statistical analysis. In this general chemistry laboratory the densities of pennies are measured by weighting the pennies and using two different methods to measure the volumes. There is much to be discovered by the students on the variability of…

The changes that have taken place in the organic chemistry laboratory course since 1980s are reviewed with reference to the quantity and diversity of discovery-based experiments available to date. The data illustrates that significant progress is towards accomplishing dramatic changes such as the almost universal adoption of microscale, the use of…

An analysis of many definitions of discovery and a discourse on a new synthesis of these definitions. (HB)