Discusses the use of a horoscope-casting laboratory exercise in the astronomy course. Indicates that students can fulfill three objectives: (1) summarize the planetary motions in the geometric universe, (2) be familiar with sidereal and solar time, and (3) be acquainted with the uses ephemerides. (CC)

Describes a simple manual simulation exercise used in a college sophomore course in environmental biology. Demonstrates ways in which biotic potential and other physiological and behavioral characteristics of living organisms may interact with environmental factors to produce the kind of population behavior actually observed in the real world. (JR)

Describes the measurement of electric potentials by means of a flame probe. This method is used extensively in the new Nuffield Advanced Level Physics course, and provides a means of taking reliable quantitative results in an area of most school courses where the majority of the work is qualitative. (JR)

Presents the view that laboratory work has been overemphasized. Need to critically examine effects on students of this practice. Some objections to current laboratory hours include irrelevance to student's future careers, recipe-type experiments, and conflicts with main academic objectives. (PS)

Teaching of biology can be more exciting in schools if students are given experience with living animals and plants. Many living organisms can be maintained without much expense and care. Prospective teachers should be taught about taking care of living organisms. (PS)