Reports on several simulation programs that can be used to teach the statistical foundations of thermal physics in introductory college physics courses. (Author/YDS)

Explains how geology has been ignored as a pre-college science subject. Examines some of the historically-based influences that have affected its status within the educational system. Suggests that geology, as a science, having been treated as being derived from physics, is a key factor which is supported by episodes in which geology and physics…

A year-long study was conducted in three high school physics classes to provide empirical support for the existence of levels of language-rich teaching. Three levels of language-rich teaching were investigated: (1) low level by hands-on; (2) medium level by small groups; and (3) high level by active mental processing (AMP) journal keeping.…

Describes a project that applies a context-based approach to physics education in order to address a number of problems identified in physics education. Points out that there has been little investigation on the impact of this approach on either teacher practice or student experiences in physics. Investigates teachers' perspective of teaching 'in…

Traces the efforts of Searching for Extraterrestrial Technological Intelligence (SETI) since 1960 when a radio-telescope was used to see if any messages were being sent from the vicinity of two nearby stars. Describes attempts to detect microwave/optical signals and technological modification of the cosmic environment. (Author/KHR)

Suggests that the subject of time travel is the best topic to introduce ideas behind some of the most beautiful and fundamental theories about the nature of space and time. Explains the distinction between the two directions of time travel and how relativity theory forced the abandonment of Newtonian notions about the nature of time. (Author/KHR)

Presents learning activities for occupations in construction technology, designing a beam, and simple machines. (JOW)

Describes the necking of polymer sheets that occurs when they are stretched. Discusses the effect and the mechanisms of necking. Lists four references. (YP)

Explains the color change of the sky by using scattering with science history. Provides several diagrams in each case, such as daylight, twilight, just after sunset, setting sun, and earth's shadow. Presents a reference of three further reading materials. (YP)

Describes Chua's circuit, a simple electronic circuit that can be used to demonstrate many of the important features of nonlinear dynamical systems. (Author/JRH)

Used an open-ended response survey to elicit first-year physics student's ideas on the nature of physics and how to study it. Describes the categories that were identified by a phenomenographic methodology and discusses the distribution of responses across the categories. Discusses issues that emerged and implications for the practice of teaching…

Reports perceptions of (n=207) first-year physics students about how they should learn physics, what is intended they should learn, and what they believe to be the functions of the various teaching situations in which they are placed. Appendix includes questionnaire. (Author/MKR)

Describes the physics of Doppler ultrasound used in measuring the velocity of blood flow. Discusses medical applications of this technique. (Author/MKR)

Describes the findings of a study that involved exploring the classroom practices of an experienced physics teacher to enable researchers to reexamine assumptions about good teaching. Asserts that a broader view of good science teaching is needed than that proposed by the constructivist literature. (ZWH)

In this paper, experiments with equal-length and different-length coupled pendulums were carried out measuring the frequency of energy exchange between them using microcomputer-based technology. The experiment described in this paper would be most appropriate for an introductory mechanics laboratory course. (15 references) (LZ)