Describes the development and pilot testing of a human biology laboratory telecourse delivered over the Education Network of Maine. The process is described within the framework of an instructional systems design model. Decisions and critical issues considered at each development stage, and generally applicable issues are presented. (Contains 14…

Uses a problem-solving task to compare the performance of school students, university students, and research scientists on a laboratory-based science investigation. Reports limitations in the work of the school students and provides insights into the development and nature of expertise in investigation skills. Presents recommendations for…

Describes a successful effort by an elementary school and community to convert a classroom into a school science laboratory and stock the laboratory with science materials and apparatus. (PR)

Examines the following questions related to the effectiveness of science laboratory activities: (1) the behavior of high school chemistry teachers; (2) the behavior of high school chemistry students; and (3) the relationship, if any, between teacher behavior and student behavior as exhibited during high school chemistry laboratory sessions. (LZ)

Inexpensive metal probe meters that are sold by garden stores can be evaluated by students for their accuracy in measuring soil pH, moisture, fertility, and salinity. The author concludes that the meters are inaccurate and cannot be calibrated in standard units. However, the student evaluations are useful in learning the methods of soil analysis…

Describes a topographic map exercise designed for lab session of two to three hours in an introductory geology course. Students are taught the basic principles of topographic map construction and are then required to make a map of a section of campus. Author claims the approach has improved student test performance and resulted in a deeper…

In 2 undergraduate anatomy courses involving a total of 473 prenursing and allied-health professions students, performances of students assigned to an interactive videodisc computer lab did not differ significantly from those of students in the traditional cadaver demonstration lab. (Author/DB)

Describes the prosecution efforts regarding a chemistry teacher when one of the teacher's students was injured in an explosion in an attempt to make gun powder. In a different section, discusses nonscientists in science laboratories and the responsibilities of competent persons. (PR)

Seven sites are designated as Department of Energy (DOE) National Environmental Research Parks and serve as irreplaceable outdoor laboratories for scientific research and education. The DOE has recommended the disposal of nearly one- quarter of the research park land holdings. Offers suggestions for developing a plan for protecting the…

Studies the effectiveness of biology teachers in the southwest Missouri area. Introduces the Biology Laboratory Internship Program which provides preparation and teaching experience to preservice teachers. (YDS)

Presents two pedagogical techniques designed to promote the development of a conceptual framework in general chemistry. Describes an exam repechage which turns exams into learning experiences for students, and the grouped laboratory essay approach in which students complete essays outside of class. (DDR)

Addresses the difficulty that teaching assistants and new faculty members may experience in finding a convenient outline of the task of preparing an experiment for undergraduates. Explains all phases of developing a laboratory exercise and includes a list of things to consider for each phase. (DDR)

Investigates associations between students' (n=489) perceptions of their biology teacher's behavior and their laboratory learning environment with student attitudinal, performance, and achievement outcomes. Finds that associations between attitudinal outcomes and learning environment dimensions assessed by the Science Laboratory Environment…

Health science education is presently in discussion throughout Europe due to the Bologna Declaration. Teaching basic sciences such as biochemistry in a health sciences context, namely in allied heath education, can be a challenging task since the students of preclinical health sciences are not often convinced that basic sciences are clinically…

Science education has moved from the traditional lecture-and-demonstration model toward a student inquiry model. Inquiry activities allow students to discover many relationships of science for themselves. However beneficial this shift may be, former assessment methods used in the traditional model may no longer effectively determine student…