Describes several demonstrations that feature interaction of light with soap bubbles. Includes directions about how to produce a long-lasting stationary soap bubble with an easily changeable size and describes the interaction of white light with the bubble. (DDR)

Presents an activity that uses basketball shoes to introduce the concept of friction. Discusses setting up, friction fundamentals, and fun friction facts. (JRH)

Summarizes the conceptual development of the notion of force historically and suggests appropriate analogies, limiting case analyses, thought experiments, and imagistic representations that can be used in high school physics classrooms. (DDR)

Presents activities in which students explore the conditions necessary for a candle to stay lit. Enables students to construct an accurate concept to explain their observation of water rising inside a tube in which a candle has burned out. (JRH)

Presents a unit on the body's response to hypothermia. Includes activities in which students measure the amount of heat absorbed by a white piece of cloth and a black piece of the same material, use cooperative-learning techniques to design a graphic organizer that explains metabolic responses to cold stress, and study the effect of temperature on…

Presents an activity that teaches students about the properties of light by using a real-life situation as the basis of a science writing exercise. (JRH)

Presents an approach that combines the discovery method with graphing skills and allows students to uncover scientific laws on their own. Attempts to make the discovery method more quantitative while still teaching students how to think scientifically. (JRH)

Examines whether first-grade students adopted misconceptions about temperature from the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and whether they could make conceptual changes when presented with activities that challenged the misconceptions. Results indicate that students adopted misconceptions embedded in the story but made conceptual…

Describes the building and testing of a robust pressure sensor suitable for use in schools that produces an output that can be fed into a standard computer interfacing set. (Author/NB)

Presents a science experiment to introduce the concept of air pressure based on a demonstration aired on the television show "Watch Mr. Wizard" in 1951. Illustrates the way temperature affects pressure. Discusses some safety concerns and possible extensions to the activity. (SOE)

Discusses the advantages of mentoring in primary science teaching. Presents four lessons taught by a preservice teacher mentee. Suggests that the dual purpose of developing a mentee's science teaching and enhancing a mentor's professional development as both a mentor and a teacher can provide the necessary vehicle for reforming primary science…

Discusses "The Big Empty" or, the Great Basin. Suggests that it is not empty but rather a great ecosystem rich in plants, animals, and minerals. Presents information and activities to guide students in exploring the Great Basin in order to understand the ways in which such an arid and seemingly harsh environment can support so many…

Presents a brine shrimp activity designed for students in grades 5-12 to foster authentic scientific inquiry in addition to providing an engaging and exciting avenue for student exploration. Emphasizes that inquiry should be a critical component in the science classroom. (KHR)

Introduces a testing method for general and organic chemistry in which students receive prepared randomized cards with a portion of a question on them to complete and then use them to answer specific test questions. Discusses the effects of this technique on each individual student's learning process. (KHR)

Presents two construction activities that address both state and federal science standards and encourage students to consider career options in mathematics and science. Includes floating concrete and paper bridge activities. (YDS)