Presents a test stressing back-of-the-envelope questions most academic scientists should be able to answer. Topics include laser fusion, emergency core cooling, solar sea power, urban transportation, etc. Suggests that question-answer format can be used to transmit science and society subject matter more effectively than sophisticated computer…

Describes a course designed to improve preparation of elementary school teachers to teach physical science and secondary teachers to teach physics. Discusses course content and techniques used to encourage development of skills and attitudes necessary for teaching the inquiry oriented curricula. (Author/SLH)

Examines in detail the history of Maxwell's development of electromagnetic theory, and stresses that the textbook version of this discovery is usually inadequate or erroneous. (MLH)

Mathematically analyzes the polarization of rainbows, a phenomenon which can be demonstrated in a laboratory simulation using polaroid sheets, perspex discs, and a white light source. (MLH)

Suggests that the excitement of 20th century science has had its truly important influence on the forms of literature--as a rich new source of metaphor, analogy, and style--and even on the structure of fiction. (Author/EB)

Reviews the equations of motion and the use of a sine-sine coordinate grid for convenient plotting or analyzing of Lissajous figures. (Author/GS)

Presents an interview in which a dermatologist outlines the dangers of sunburn. Carcinogenic and aging effects are included. (GS)

The article criticizes the reasoning that Stern uses -- that "there is no evidence that the mechanism of projection plays any significant role in determining responses to the College Characteristics Index" -- with the use of data measuring relationships between pupil needs, environmental press, and pupil attitudes to various aspects of a high…

Electrets, the electrical counterparts of magnets, are polarized dielectrics that are permanent on a scale of months. Describes procedures for making electrets out of plastic sheets like Mylar, for testing them and measuring their pole strengths, and for establishing necessary and sufficient demonstrations that they are not simply surface charged.…

Presents a technique, using the method of variation of parameters for solving differential equations, for introducing Green's function early in an undergraduate curriculum. Presents various examples. (Author/MLH)