Lists for each higher education institution in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, pertinent details about the physics curriculum, including honors degree courses, special entry requirements, and course structure. (MLH)

Lists for each higher education institution in Scotland pertinent details about the physics curriculum, including honors degree courses, special entry requirements, and course structure. (MLH)

Describes an experiment to demonstrate Boyle's law that provides pressure measurements in a familiar unit (psi) and makes no assumptions concerning atmospheric pressure. Items needed include bathroom scales and a 60-ml syringe, castor oil, disposable 3-ml syringe and needle, modeling clay, pliers, and a wooden block. Commercial devices use a…

Describes the classroom and teaching method of Fred Carrington, the 1996 American Teacher of the Year in science, who was recognized for his ability to relate physics to everyday life. (JOW)

Introduces the Golden Age of Hungarian science and highlights the educational achievements of Hungarians. Traces the contributions of Hungarian scientists to the progress of science. (JRH)

Presents examples of how the history of domestic physics might help in seeking new ideas that are unavoidable for the transformations taking place in Slovakia. Discusses refining domestic physics history, the influence of totalitarian systems on science in Slovakia, what is meant by "Slovak science," the role of Czech universities and…

Describes the use of portfolios in grading and assessment. Discusses advantages of portfolio assessment, Showcase Portfolios, Checklist Portfolios, Open-Format Portfolios, student self-reflection, portfolio scoring, and student perceptions of portfolios. (JRH)

Proposes that standards for physics education should take the same approach as physics using guidelines such as: formulating basic standards, determining operational specification of standards, providing multiple assessment methods, and staying within the bounds of realistic feasibility. (MVL)

Describes the construction of a simple launcher for plastic bottle rockets. (JRH)

Presents a demonstration that illustrates charge conservation. Involves enclosing both the Teflon and the fur in metal tubes and measuring the voltage. (JRH)

Describes a simple inexpensive circuit which can be used to quickly demonstrate the basic function and versatility of the solid state diode. Can be used to demonstrate the light-emitting diode (LED) as a light emitter, temperature sensor, light detector with both a linear and logarithmic response, and charge storage device. (JRH)

Explains how individuals trained to be physicists take a path to become engineers and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this transformation, particularly with regard to the term "renaissance engineer." Examines the system for registration of physicists as engineers in the United Kingdom. (Author/YDS)

Describes the construction and use of a machine to demonstrate centripetal force. Includes a lab activity for use with the machine. (DDR)

Compares misconceptions associated with electric circuits between high school students in the People's Republic of China and in the United States. In general, findings indicate that the Chinese students did better on the problems than did the American students. Discusses the importance of physics in the Chinese curriculum. (JRH)

Describes optics demonstrations that use a mirror mounted on a laser pointer. Can be used to demonstrate reflection from plane or curved surfaces, refraction, and Snell's law. (Author/JRH)