Describes an open-ended experiment involving a bioinorganic system that provides the student a direct link between thermodynamics and kinetics. It utilizes a rapid reaction technique and requires one to clearly understand the relationship of experimental observable (absorbance) to a mechanism. (GS)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a specific method of bacterial identification and suggests some modifications or improvements. The approach is presented as being suitable for obtaining information about the diversity of bacterial types on student fieldwork. (Author/EB)

Photographs of a beetle, Catamerus rugosus, were taken at different stages in its life cycle. Students were asked to relate these to real life and carry out a statistical analysis to determine the degree of dispersion of animals. Results demonstrate a change in dispersion throughout the life cycle. (Author/EB)

Presents an experiment in which a programmable calculator is employed as a data generating system for simulated laboratory experiments. The example used as an illustration is a simulated conductimetric titration of an aqueous solution of HC1 with an aqueous solution of NaOH. (Author/EB)

Recommends that teachers make use of the motivation that many young people devote to hobbies. Gives examples of this approach including the study of force, speed, work, power and various electrical concepts with model trains; acceleration and velocity with rocketry; focal length, magnification, field of view with astronomy and photography. (GS)

Describes the construction of a calorimeter to be used in an experiment which consists of measuring the rate at which ground level solar radiation raises the temperature of the metal in the calorimeter. (GS)

Presents a quiz for evaluating student understanding of wave interference utilizing two prong tuning forks. (GS)

Describes exercises using simple ball and stick models which students with no chemistry background can solve in the context of the original discovery. Examples include the tartaric acid and benzene problems. (GS)

Describes an experiment designed to augment textual materials conducive to the inquiry approach to learning. The experiment is the culminating experience in a series designed to illustrate the fundamental nature of the atom: its quantized energy nature, its electrical nature, and its combining ability. (Author/GS)

Describes an experiment for recording holograms using a minimum of costly apparatus. Includes a description of apparatus and materials, the procedure for recording the hologram, the processing of the hologram, and the reconstruction of the image. (GS)

Describes modules designed to enable a student to learn a measurement technique and familiarize himself with measurement instrumentation independently of a laboratory course. Presents an example of a module involving the measurement of electrical resistance and lists other modules that have been developed. (GS)

Describes self-paced freshmen courses in electronics using study guides with questions answerable entirely from laboratory measurements. Discusses the problem of supplying students with needed results of evaluation quickly. No statistics are included. (GH)