This article reviews research on cognition and intervention among individuals (mostly males) with fragile X syndrome, the second leading cause of mental retardation. It describes general syndrome characteristics, specific cognitive characteristics (such as better verbal than performance abilities), and educational implications. (Author/DB)

Describes inexpensive hands-on activities for teaching about mutants and mutations in bacteria. (PR)

Presents a simple activity that simulates natural selection working on random mutations through many generations. (PR)

Discusses the merits of investigative labs and how they change the role of students from passive direction followers to more creative and analytical thinkers. Focuses on the University of Minnesota's program in the Virgin Islands that involves undergraduates in research. (DDR)

Describes a course for talented high school students that focuses on DNA science and technology. Employs Cold Spring Harbor's DNA Science laboratory manual. Engages students in performing sickle-cell anemia and thalassemia tests in rabbits. (DDR)

Discusses some new evidence for evolution that might be useful in persuading students who question the scientific basis for evolution. Draws on findings from the fields of molecular biology and genetics. (DDR)

Details the active-learning approach to teaching cellular respiration in an introductory, one-semester course for nonmajors. Focuses on a laboratory exercise designed to answer the question of what happens to food when eaten. Contains 19 references. (DDR)

Explores research on the concepts of intelligences and giftedness. Considers the importance of the brain, its organization and functions, different theories about intelligence and the possibility of boosting it, and changes that occur in brain structure as a consequence of the interactions between genetic traits and experiences. (Author/CR)

Reviews the chronometric research conducted by Arthur Jensen and what it has done to support the idea of a correlation between various composite reaction-time variables and IQ tests. Discusses the importance of Jensen's work in the exploration of general intelligence. (SLD)

Presents a plain English map of the gene coding for the glycolysis enzymes in humans to be used as a teaching tool. The map can be used to illustrate that every reaction in a cell requires an enzyme, and that every enzyme is a protein coded for by a gene somewhere on the chromosomes. (WRM)

Draws on an array of historical documents to delve into the history of genetics and the lives and scientific accomplishments of female geneticists that include Nettie Stevens, Rosalind Franklin, and Barbara McClintock. (Contains 20 references.) (Author/WRM)

A naturalistic study with two cycles of intervention was conducted to investigate effects of two methods of introducing concept mapping to Australian university students in introductory genetics. Some students' views were also investigated years later. Results suggest method of introduction can influence both student perceptions of concept mapping…

Argues that differences in black performance and white performance on standardized tests likely comes from deeply rooted environmental forces such as expectations of one's life being restricted to a small and poorly rewarded set of social roles. Issues of test bias, the influence of caste-like minorities, the conflict between African American…

Explores how a dozen high school girls express their relationship to and understanding of prenatal testing and its possible place in their lives and the lives of others in the context of a short unit on prenatal testing in a semester-long genetics course. Contains 57 references. (DDR)

This study examined the prevalence and severity of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in 29 children and adults with Smith-Magenis syndrome, a genetic disorder usually involving moderate mental retardation. Findings confirmed the near universal presence of SIB in this population. The overall prevalence of SIB increased with age. Number of types of SIB…